Overview

Hype:

CLOSED McElmo Falls is on private property, which includes an active shooting range. The landowners are actively prohibiting visitors. McElmo Falls is a waterfall on McElmo Creek just south of Cortez, Colorado. The water drops about 40 feet in a single drop onto a flat rock ledge.

Trail Condition: Class 3 (Trail may have sections where hands are needed. Trail may not be visible in spots or may not exist at all.)

Time: 1 hour

Length: 0.5 miles round trip

Elevation Gain: 110 ft

Fees: None

Recommended Ages:

	0-3
	4-11
	12-19
	20-49
	50-69
	70+

Recommended Months to Visit:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Getting There

Navigate to 37.317140, -108.615829.

Route

Park at the top of the hill. Climb over the fence. Walk north through the cow field. Bush whack down the hill to the bottom of the waterfall.

Maps

Closest City or Region: Cortez, Colorado

Coordinates: 37.319498, -108.616000

Interactive Guide Map

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July 6, 2019 Trip Report

By Jeremy Dye

Trip Members

Jeremy Dye,

Story

The others wanted to sleep in, so I got up early and hiked to McElmo Falls. It took me quite a while to figure out how to get down to the falls, but I made it. 

Pictures