RMNP - Ouzel Falls (and Hidden Falls if you choose) from Winter Trailhead

Let’s hike to Ouzel Falls…along Calypso Cascades and the river in winter! We will have to park at the winter lot, so that will add about 1 mile each direction. For those interested, we can add on the side trail to Hidden Falls on the way back.

PARK FEE: There is a National Parks fee of $30 per vehicle if you do not have the America the Beautiful Pass…although it is not likely that the entrance station will be manned. I’m not organizing a carpool so if anybody would like to carpool and save on the fee, please put a comment in the event so that anybody interested can reply.

Difficulty: about 8.5 miles with about 1,250 feet elevation gain. If you choose to take the side trail to Hidden Falls, it will add on about 2 miles and about 200 feet elevation gain. You can make that decision on the way back.

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This is a beautiful hike along the North St. Vrain Creek. The hike offers several attractions including Copeland Falls, Calypso Cascades, and Ouzel Falls (a 40 foot waterfall). We will do the following hike in alltrails except we will need to park at the Winter Lot which will add about 2 miles to the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/ouzel-falls-via-wild-basin-trail-from-sandbeach-lake

DOGS NOT ALLOWED IN THE PARK.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the Wild Basin Winter Lot. To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. That link goes all the way to the Wild Basin Trailhead, but there will be a gate before that blocking the road to further travel, so you will need to park there which is the Winter Lot. If you have google maps, you can type in “RMNP Wild Basin Winter Trailhead” for directions.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, hiking poles (if you find them helpful), and anything else you deem essential. PLEASE ALSO BRING MICROSPIKES AS WE MOST LIKELY WILL NEED THEM!

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.586586157172&lat=40.20127532633532

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.