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Ouzel Falls - 2 members in 6 triplogs have rated this an average 4 ( 1 to 5 best )
6 triplogs
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Jan 10 2025
avatar

 Routes 386
 Photos 49
 Triplogs 792

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Ouzel FallsCentral, CO
Ouzel Falls
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Jan 10 2025
emilystardust • Triplogs 792
Hiking7.89 Miles 1,158 AEG
Hiking7.89 Miles   4 Hrs   18 Mns   1.94 mph
1,158 ft AEG      14 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Winter hike to Ouzel Falls, so there was an extra mile each way for the road closure. We were the only people on the trail though saw quite a few people wandering around the road, especially as we were returning.
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Oct 26 2024
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Ouzel FallsCentral, CO
Ouzel Falls
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Oct 26 2024
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking5.94 Miles 1,026 AEG
Hiking5.94 Miles   2 Hrs   45 Mns   2.16 mph
1,026 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Aug 30 2021
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Ouzel FallsCentral, CO
Ouzel Falls
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Aug 30 2021
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660
Hiking5.96 Miles 1,173 AEG
Hiking5.96 Miles   2 Hrs   48 Mns   2.37 mph
1,173 ft AEG      17 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
sue and i drove down to wild basin for our first hike in rocky mountain national park
we had an 0900 entry ticket for the areas outside of the bear lake corridor
got started later than that, but weather was good all day
the hike to ouzel falls has two scenic stops along the way: copeland falls and calypso cascades
moderate ascent, good trail for the most part
nice hike through pine and aspen and not crowded at all
just under three miles to ouzel falls, where we took a break
there are several longer options beyond that point
had a late lunch at la cocina de mama of highway 7 on the way back into estes park
excellent mexican food with enough leftovers for dinner
good start to our four days of hiking in the park
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ouzel Falls

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Calypso Cascades Medium flow Medium flow

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Copeland Falls Medium flow Medium flow

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Ouzel Falls Medium flow Medium flow
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hazhole
 
Aug 23 2013
avatar

 Routes 17
 Photos 485
 Triplogs 510

77 male
 Joined Jan 07 2010
 Chandler, AZ
Ouzel & Bluebird Lakes RMNP, CO 
Ouzel & Bluebird Lakes RMNP, CO
 
Hiking avatar Aug 23 2013
Mike_Fels • Triplogs 510
Hiking15.00 Miles 2,874 AEG
Hiking15.00 Miles
2,874 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Ouzel Lake Trail
Ouzel Falls
Bluebird Lake Trail
Partners partners
MNHIKER42
Day 3
Trailhead elevation = 8,500‘ Destination elevation = 11,016’
A good friend and fellow hiker flew in to join me on the hikes for a long weekend. So after a little discussion the decision was made to hike to Bluebird Lake. I introduced Merlin to Mickey D’s.

I told Merlin that there were spots we could turn around at on the way if he hit a wall. Figuring it was his first day at these elevations. But no, every time I asked are you ready to quit? His answer was let’s keep going.

This trail was sort of the typical RMNP trail. Started in the usual deep forest and took off going up up and away. It followed a beautiful stream with several cascades and falls. There was Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, Ouzel Falls... There were long stretches of fields of wild raspberries. Then Ouzel Lake and finally the climb to Bluebird Lake. I’m sure glad Merlin wanted to keep going that final push was fantastic. We were right at the tree line but instead of being kind of stark as most hikes above the tree line had been, this one had areas with a dozen varieties of wild flowers blooming. Including the state flower the Blue and White Columbine. Which we were told was way out of season.

Finally we climbed up the last ridge and there was the beautiful Bluebird Lake surrounded by rock walls. The only problem was a cold 50 or 60mph wind blowing off the lake trying to tear our heads off. So we didn’t loiter all to long there.

The trip back was no less beautiful.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Alpine Paintbrush  Elephant Head  Fireweed  Indian Paintbrush  Parry's Gentian  Rocky Mountain Columbine
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bluebird Lake  Copeland Falls  Isolation Peak  Ouzel Falls
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Oct 04 2012
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 98
 Triplogs 284

44 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Moscow, RU
Ouzel FallsCentral, CO
Ouzel Falls
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Oct 04 2012
AndreyP • Triplogs 284
Hiking7.60 Miles 1,680 AEG
Hiking7.60 Miles   4 Hrs   30 Mns   1.86 mph
1,680 ft AEG      25 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hiked from Finch Lake trailhead to Calypso Cascades and Ouzel Falls, then back to Wild Basin trailhead and to Finch Lake trailhead via horse trail. Both waterfalls are picturesque except that the views are impacted by fallen logs.
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Sep 28 2011
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Ouzel FallsCentral, CO
Ouzel Falls
Central, CO
Hiking avatar Sep 28 2011
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking5.40 Miles 866 AEG
Hiking5.40 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   1.54 mph
866 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
There's still a couple of more hikes in RMNP that I have yet to post triplogs for, but I'll skip ahead to the hike I did on my last day. Ouzel Falls is in the lesser-visited southeast corridor of the park. If there was ever an area I expected to see bear activity it's in the thick undergrowth along the dirt road to the Wild Basin trailhead. Thankfully, it was too late in the day for any sightings.

Three different waterfalls highlight this trail. Copeland Falls is the smallest and easily visited by a pair of spur trails at the 0.4 mile mark. The trail then crosses the North St. Vrain Creek and climbs to the base of Calypso Cascades at 1.8mi. Then the trail opens up a bit offering nice views of the southside of Long's Peak before going up a series of switchbacks and steps. Finally, you reach the Ouzel Falls bridge at 2.7 miles. Whoa! This waterfall was bigger than I expected. I soaked in the mist for a while and played with the uber-friendly chipmunks that were looking for handouts. I would have liked to continue on to Ouzel Lake (10mi roundtrip) but I had a plane to catch and had to call it a day.

On the way back to Denver I drove through St. Vrain River Gorge. A-MAZ-ING!!! It ranks up there with the Moki Dugway and the Overseas Highway as drives everyone should do at least once.
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"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
average hiking speed 1.97 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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