Waterfalls, Forest & High Country
Browns Creek
Hike from the Arkansas River Valley into forests and mountain meadows beneath Mount Antero, with a waterfall, alpine lake, and miles of high-country trail ahead.
Into the Sawatch Range
One Trail, Several Very Different Hikes
Browns Creek is one of the best hiking areas between Buena Vista and Salida because the same trail can become several very different adventures.
Most day hikers come for Browns Creek Falls, reached after a moderate hike through pine forest, open meadows, and sections of trail beside the creek.
Continue beyond the waterfall and the trail climbs much farther into the Sawatch Range toward Browns Lake, nearly 2,400 vertical feet above the trailhead.
Along the way, the Browns Creek Trail intersects the Colorado Trail and provides access toward Little Browns Creek, Mount Antero, and much larger backcountry routes.
The Basics
Browns Creek at a Glance
Popular Day Hike
Browns Creek Falls
The waterfall hike is about 5.7 miles round trip with roughly 950 feet of elevation gain.
Longer Hike
Browns Lake
Continue beyond the falls for an approximately 11.5 to 12-mile round trip into a high mountain basin.
Trailhead
About 8,900 Feet
Browns Creek Trailhead sits on the east side of the Sawatch Range and provides direct access to Trail #1429.
Trail Length
6.5 Miles One Way
Colorado's official trail database lists Browns Creek Trail #1429 at about 6.5 miles, climbing from roughly 8,900 to 11,300 feet.
The Classic Hike
Browns Creek Falls
Browns Creek Falls is the most popular destination on the trail and one of the better waterfall hikes in the Arkansas River Valley.
The hike begins with a fairly steep, rocky climb above the trailhead. As you gain elevation, views open east across the Arkansas River Valley before the route enters more forested terrain.
The trail briefly meets the Colorado Trail before turning back west toward Browns Creek. From there, the grade becomes more moderate and the route passes through open meadows with Mount Antero and Mount White rising above the valley.
Several footbridges cross Browns Creek before a short signed spur leaves the main trail and leads to the waterfall.
Round trip: about 5.7 miles
Elevation gain: about 950 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Along the Trail
From Dry Foothills to Mountain Forest
Browns Creek climbs through several distinct landscapes as it moves away from the Arkansas River Valley and deeper into the Sawatch Range.
The Initial Climb
The first part of the trail gains elevation quickly on a rocky hillside above the trailhead.
This is one of the steeper sections of the waterfall hike and provides some of the best views back across the valley.
Mountain Meadows
Higher up, the trail crosses open meadows surrounded by forest and high Sawatch peaks.
Wildflowers can be especially good here during summer.
Along the Creek
The route eventually settles beside Browns Creek, passing through cooler forest and crossing the water on several bridges before reaching the waterfall spur.
Keep Going
Browns Lake
For a much bigger day, stay on Browns Creek Trail after the waterfall and continue west into the mountains.
The trail keeps climbing through forest before emerging into a broad high-country basin near Browns Lake at more than 11,000 feet.
From the trailhead, the full out-and-back is roughly 11.5 to 12 miles with about 2,400 feet of elevation gain.
Browns Lake is a shallow, naturally changing mountain lake and wetland influenced by beaver activity, so the exact appearance and water level can vary from year to year.
This is a significantly more demanding hike than the waterfall and deserves a full-day plan.
Choose Your Day
How Far Do You Want to Go?
Shorter Outing
Hike the lower portion of Browns Creek and turn around at one of the viewpoints or near the Colorado Trail junction.
Go to the Waterfall
Browns Creek Falls is the best all-around day hike, combining views, meadows, forest, creek crossings, and the waterfall in about 5.7 miles round trip.
Make It a Full Day
Continue to Browns Lake for nearly twice the mileage, considerably more climbing, and a much more remote high-country destination.
A Trail Crossroads
The Colorado Trail Passes Through Browns Creek
Browns Creek is more than a stand-alone hiking trail. About 1.4 miles from the trailhead, the route reaches the Colorado Trail.
The Browns Creek route briefly shares this corridor before leaving it again and continuing west toward the waterfall and Browns Lake.
This junction puts the trailhead directly into a much larger trail network. Colorado Trail Segment 14 crosses this portion of the Sawatch Range between the Chalk Creek area and US Highway 50.
For backpackers and longer-distance hikers, Browns Creek can be used as an access point rather than just a destination.
Navigation Note
Older Maps Can Be Confusing
Browns Creek has several trail junctions close to the trailhead, and some older maps and online descriptions use outdated trail names.
Browns Creek Trail #1429
This is the main route toward Browns Creek Falls and Browns Lake. Follow current trail signs rather than relying only on an older map.
Colorado Trail Junction
The waterfall route briefly follows the Colorado Trail before turning back onto Browns Creek Trail.
Little Browns Creek #1430
A separate junction provides access into Little Browns Creek and eventually toward the high country below Mount Antero.
Go Much Bigger
A Backcountry Route Toward Mount Antero
Strong hikers can use the Browns Creek trailhead as an alternative approach to Mount Antero.
The Little Browns Creek route leaves the main trail system and climbs steadily into an alpine basin between Mount Antero and Mount White.
From Browns Creek Trailhead, the current 14ers.com route is about 16.25 miles round trip with roughly 5,550 feet of elevation gain. The summit portion reaches Class 2 terrain.
This is a completely different undertaking from hiking to Browns Creek Falls and should be treated as a serious fourteener day.
View the Little Browns Creek Mount Antero route →
Share the Trail
A Multi-Use Mountain Trail
Browns Creek is used by more than hikers, particularly on the lower portions of the trail.
Hikers & Runners
The waterfall is a popular hiking destination, especially during summer weekends and when the creek is running high.
Horses
Browns Creek has a long history of equestrian use. Give horses plenty of room and follow the rider's direction when passing.
Mountain Bikes
Bikes are permitted on Browns Creek Trail, although the rocky initial climb and shared trail traffic can make portions demanding.
Getting There
Browns Creek Trailhead
The trailhead is west of US Highway 285 between Nathrop and Poncha Springs.
From US 285, turn west onto County Road 270. After about 1.5 miles, continue straight onto County Road 272.
Continue west on the dirt road before following CR 272 south to the Browns Creek Trailhead.
The current 14ers.com directions put the trailhead about 5.1 miles from US 285. The approach is a dirt county and Forest Service road, so conditions can change with weather and snow.
When to Go
Browns Creek Through the Seasons
Spring
Snow melts from the lower trail before the high country, and spring runoff can make Browns Creek Falls especially impressive.
Higher sections toward Browns Lake may still hold significant snow.
Summer
Summer provides the most reliable access to the full trail and brings wildflowers to the meadows above the lower forest.
Start longer hikes early to stay ahead of afternoon thunderstorms.
Fall
Cooler temperatures and changing aspen make early fall an excellent time for the waterfall hike.
Snow can begin returning to the higher basin well before winter.
Winter
Snow can limit road access to the trailhead and turns the upper watershed into serious winter mountain terrain.
Do not assume summer mileage or difficulty applies when the trail is snow covered.
Before You Go
Plan for Mountain Conditions
The waterfall may feel like a straightforward day hike, but Browns Creek reaches deep into high-elevation mountain terrain.
Bring Water
Do not depend on drinking directly from Browns Creek. Carry enough water or use an appropriate treatment system.
Watch the Weather
Afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly. Longer trips toward Browns Lake leave hikers increasingly exposed to mountain weather.
Expect Altitude
The trailhead already sits near 8,900 feet, and the trail climbs above 11,000 feet if you continue toward Browns Lake.
Download a Map
Several trails intersect in this area. Save a current trail map before leaving the Arkansas River Valley.
View Browns Creek on COTREX →Explore More
More Around Nathrop
Browns Creek is part of a much larger network of Sawatch Range trails surrounding Nathrop and the Chalk Creek Valley.