Take Piedra Road to Forest Road 631 and turn right onto Taylor Lane, left on Forest Road 636, and right on Forest Road 637 / East Toner Road. About halfway between the trailhead at the Piedra River crossing and the pull off to view the falls there is a nice viewpoint at the cliff edge overlooking Neal Creek Canyon to your left (east) and Piedra River Canyon to your right (north). Sign-up for our Free Colorado newsletter. Piedra River Trail, Pagosa Springs: See 240 reviews, articles, and 166 photos of Piedra River Trail, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 40 attractions in Pagosa Springs. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. The fissures on the side of the ridge contain snow deposited through the winter, protected from the sun. Take … From Highway 160, you will make a right on 1st Fork Road/Co Rd 166. The 12 mile Lower Piedra Box is a truly unique run due to its isolation, stunning scenery and wildlife, steep drops, cold water and short window of raft-able flows. The millenia of erosion have also given birth to numerous deep pools, bend pools, flat meadow pools, and plunge pools all along the canyon section of the Piedra River, making it a fly fishing angler’s paradise, especially if you are looking for those big browns, rainbows, or the occasional cutthroat. Here, the scenery is spectacular as the river cuts through a heavily-forested box canyon. THE word is out! She seemed to think it was a pretty cool ride. We placed our home with for a trusted agent. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The hike is roughly 1/2 mile from the trailhead to the falls. The turn off is located 5.5 miles west of the Chimney Rock turnoff which is on the left (Hwy 151) and before the Piedra River. When you need a professional realtor specializing in Pagosa Springs, Debbie Loewen should be your first choice. Use the 'Report' link on 55 Total Climbs. The section is ten miles long and full of fun and technical Class III-IV rapids. Protect your camera from the mist and watch your footing on the wet trail. Here we are loaded onto the "Mule" for the short drive to Piedra Falls. From the moment we signed the agreement until the day our house sold, Debbie worked tirelessly. You have permission to edit this article. She is one of the most dedicated people we have had the pleasure of knowing and we would highly recommend her. Located minutes from a very popular hike, Piedra River Trail is a 7.9 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail following a river and is for adventurers of all skill levels. You will walk along a trail on the side of the river that winds back to the beautiful Piedra Falls that falls into a v-shaped canyon of boulders. Directions to the Ice Caves: Follow the directions to the Piedra River Trail to access this trail. Piedra River Trail: Tickets & Tours‎ Bath House (Hot Springs) @ The Springs Resort & Spa: Tickets & Tours‎ Chimney Rock National Monument: Tickets & Tours‎ Piedra Falls: Tickets & Tours‎ Fourmile Falls Trail: Tickets & Tours‎ Diamond Hitch Stables: Tickets & Tours‎ San Juan River Walk: Tickets & Tours‎ This is an easy hike that is family friendly. As the river volume grows, so do the rapids, especially as we enter the Lower Box which escalates the river to a raging torrent of huge drops and chutes. The falls were pretty cool and we got some great photos. And Jessie is in the back with Betty and Dan. See waterfalls in a whole new light. News, travel inspiration, podcasts, & more. Signup today for free and be the first to get notified on new updates. Don't knowingly lie about anyone Be Proactive. Headed north on a partially hard-surfaced road north from Pagosa Springs, going past the town airport and continuing on northward further along the subalpine valley, ultimately dropping down along an escarpment fairly close to the Piedra River. Read Why! After your hike to the waterfall, head back into town for a soak at one of several commercial hot springs sites. Turn right on East Toner Road and take it to the end. The Upper Piedra River section begins outside of Pagosa Springs at the Upper Piedra Campground access point. From the parking lot, start on the Piedra River Trail for several hundred yards, then follow the old road bed to the right. Piedra River Trail - a hike well worth the effort !!! Short video explains why Colorado's snowpack is so dangerous this year, NORAD tracking Santa Claus during Christmas Eve, Climate change, human activity might risk Rocky Mountains’ ptarmigan population, "A matter of inches": Firefighters rescue litter of puppies after car crashes into Colorado home, Celebrity's son hospitalized after big fall from Aspen ski lift, Manitou Springs painter's colorful portraits are popping all over town. Piedra Falls: This is a hike that features an impressive waterfall rushing over volcanic rock. The parking area is large and no bathrooms are available, though across the street up … Piedra Falls is an easy 1 mile hike each way, about 30 minutes of exertion. As you drop to the river, you will see the first route on your right. She had several “Open House” and placed ads in the newspaper. Do not attempt to travel this road in wet weather. Directions to Piedra Falls: Drive North on Piedra Road (#631) about 17 miles to the junction at Sportsman’s Supply. Do not attempt to travel this road in wet weather. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Offering More Than a Scenic Destination; Pagosa is Home, Search All Southwest Colorado Real Estate, Pagosa Springs Real Estate Listings Sitemap. We actually sold our house in a few days thanks to her tireless effort on our behalf! USGS 09349800 PIEDRA RIVER NEAR ARBOLES, CO. We'd love to hear eyewitness During the Spring, Summer, and Fall months; Piedra Falls will be at it’s best. Copyright 2020 • OwnPagosa.com • Website split and stacked by Web Services Management - Featuring Visual IDX, Own Pagosa's Listing Sitemap • Pagosa Springs Real Estate Listings Sitemap, Yesterday we tackled another adventure! Our house sold in 2 months and we believe it was due to her “Get it done” attitude. Share with Us. Two favorite spots are Treasure Falls at the base of Wolf Creek Pass and along the Piedra River Trail north of downtown. Don't Threaten. There are routes along the cliff and boulder problems and top ropes down by the river. or anything. Then we planned to hike. The hike takes about 15 to 30 minutes each way. Go Ice Climbing in Pagosa Springs! Walk along the river … When winter conditions are at their peak, ice climbing comes to Pagosa Country. The falls are impressive, thundering off a cliff into a V-shaped canyon of huge boulders. This hike is excellent for families with children of all ages. Lower Box of the Piedra River : Class IV Whitewater Rafting. Piedra Falls Trail is a 1 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Pagosa Springs, Colorado that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Hikers should also be aware that, while the Piedra River Trail is well-used and easy to follow, other trails in the area may not be, and there is little trail signage. The paved trail follows the river through town with picnic areas and views of the hot springs. The trailhead is a popular primitive camping site for locals, so bring a picnic lunch or dinner, throw up a lawn chair in a shady spot, and hang out awhile. From the parking lot across the Piedra River, take the Ice Caves Trail down stream taking a left at the fork. The hike is an easy one-mile roundtrip, out-and-back on Piedra Falls Trail #671. The river angles to the southwest and receives the First Fork Piedra River from the right, and after the confluence, flows more in a southerly direction. This free use, natural hot spring on the Piedra River has several 100 degree pools. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. Threats of harming another Bob, the Goof Man driver! Debbie is honest, ethical and reliable. The hike is about 15 minutes each way. The Piedra river is a secluded bit of water that is loaded with trout that feed on the the vast amounts of stoneflies in the river. Piedra Falls is a unique chute waterfall located an hour’s drive north of Pagosa Springs in the southwest part of the state. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until November. If you like to hike, and can take a day or two, one of the best hiking and fishing destinations is along the Piedra River in Southwest Colorado. Piedra River Trail: Tickets & Tours‎ Bath House (Hot Springs) @ The Springs Resort & Spa: Tickets & Tours‎ Chimney Rock National Monument: Tickets & Tours‎ Piedra Falls: Tickets & Tours‎ Fourmile Falls Trail: Tickets & Tours‎ Diamond Hitch Stables: Tickets & Tours‎ San Juan River Walk: Tickets & Tours‎ Take the first road to the right, the East Toner Road (#637), and follow it to the end. Length 1 miElevation gain 108 ftRoute type Out & back Error! Without going into great detail, this was not an easy closing, and Debbie never wavered, but did what she needed to do to get the job done. The following members of the River Protection Workgroup for the Piedra River are thanked for their time, interest and work. Piedra Trailhead Directions: Drive North on Piedra Road (CR 600/FS 631) 16-miles crossing Piedra River on a bridge and to the parking area immediately after on the west side of the road. Dark volcanic rock provides a stark backdrop to the brilliant white water that gushes through a slot in the rock, and the powerful spray fills the air. The run starts with a quick mile of Class … To reach the falls, take Colo. Highway 160 west from Pagosa Springs to Piedra Road, at the crest of the hill. Leave the Piedra Road and continue on the Middle Fork Road (#636) for two miles. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Success! racist or sexually-oriented language. Some slightly tricky walking if you want to keep your hiking shoes dry, but worth the hike. Turn right on Piedra and … There was an error processing your request. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. … Most years at the ½ mile river access a large Ice formation appears from the cliff face right down into the river which is a popular destination. Hikers can expect a thirty-minute round-trip hike. The River Protection Workgroup Steering Committee would like to thank the Colorado Water Conservation Board for its support, funding and technical assistance, as well as all other funders and contributors. In the summertime, add a whitewater rafting trip to your Pagosa Springs visit. Piedra River Trail - a hike well worth the effort !!! The terrain involves a well defined, flat trail, with a slight advance in inclination as you approach the falls. From the Sportsman’s Campground Store, turn right on to Middle Fork Road, FS 640 and follow this road for two miles to East Toner Road. Lower Piedra River Class III-IV+ Steep with technical drops and narrow chutes, the Upper Piedra is a fast-paced challenge best for those with rafting experience. that is degrading to another person. The strong flow of water provides a decent pool for recreational swimming. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. The river has a few forks shown on the map and nearly everything is fishable since it resides in national forest. The, What I admire most about the V shaped rocks supporting the rushing waterfall is the fact that they are. Tumbling down volcanic cliffs in two broad steps, Piedra Falls is one of the most visited waterfalls in the Pagosa area. Headed north on a partially hard-surfaced road north from Pagosa Springs, going past the town airport and continuing on northward further along the subalpine valley, ultimately dropping down along an escarpment fairly close to the Piedra River. In a couple of places the trail was a little difficult to follow and crossed back and forth over, or rather through, parts of the Piedra River below the falls. Three forks (the East and Middle Forks plus Williams Creek) travel to the … each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Take Piedra Road to Forest Road 631 and turn right onto Taylor Lane, left on Forest Road 636, and right on Forest Road 637 / East Toner Road. Walk up the river to a headgate where the trail begins. About a 45 minute drive east of Durango, sits the trailhead for the Piedra River Hot Springs. Continue on up to Williams Creek Reservoir for a view of that glacial valley and surrounding peaks. Thank you, Debbie, for making the sale of our home such an awesome experience. Start at either end of the trail – from the Piedra River crossing via Piedra Road, or from following US Highway 160 about 23 miles to where the Piedra River … Piedra River: A day’s hike at a moderate altitude (about 7,000 feet) with no long, steep climbs; follow a well-marked trail beside the Piedra. The San Juan River Walk Trail is another great addition to your visit. Upper Piedra River Class III-IV Fast-paced with some challenging rapids all surrounded by awesome geology and dense forests. Outfitters will provide you with all the gear and a rafting guide. We listed our home in Pagosa with Debbie because of her experience and knowledge of the real estate market. In the summer, be prepared for intense afternoon thunderstores, including wind and hail. The Springs Resort & Spa and Healing Waters Resort & Spa are open year-round with hotel, motel, and cabin accommodations, spa services, and hot spring tubs, pools, and pots. Walk up the river to a head gate where the trail begins. Walk up the river to a head gate where the trail begins. Just realized I may not have a face-on photo of Jessie.… Piedra Falls. She listened, understood all our needs and was always available to handle all the details. Piedra Falls: Tumbling down volcanic cliffs in two large steps, Piedra Falls is on of the most popular waterfalls in the Pagosa District. Take US 160 for about 20 miles southwest of Pagosa Springs. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Be Truthful. The Piedra starts in the Weminuche Wilderness. person will not be tolerated. Piedra Falls, Pagosa Springs: See 164 reviews, articles, and 114 photos of Piedra Falls, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 40 attractions in Pagosa Springs. Having done this hike what feels like a thousand and one times, I was in shock when a Pagosa native had never even heard of this location! Pagosa Springs is one of the most sought out town in the United States. Leave the Piedra Road and continue on the Middle Fork Road (#636) for two miles. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Take the first road to the right, the East Toner Road (#637), and follow it to the end. Cross the bridge over the Middle Fork of Piedra River to reach the trailhead. Caution should be used at falls – overspray can cause rocks to be slippery. The Piedra flows through open meadows, then drops into a canyon, receiving O'Neal Creek from the left and Williams, Weimuche and Sand Creeks from the right. There is a nice trailhead parking The East Fork of the Piedra is virtually inaccessible, flowing through a trailless forest above Piedra Falls; part of the Middle Fork of the Piedra is paralleled by Forest Road 636, but most of the stream lies in rugged canyons in the wilderness and can be explored only by strong hikers.Between Forest Road 631 to the east and U.S. 160 on the west, the main Piedra flows through a narrow 24-mile valley broken by … Cross the bridge over the Middle Fork of Piedra River to reach the trailhead. Keep it Clean. Drive North on Piedra Road (#631) about 17 miles to the junction at Sportsman’s Supply. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Starting at the headwaters of the Piedra River on the Upper Box, we “warm-up” by bumping and grinding our way through technical rapids as we watch creek after creek cascade into the river. This is an easy, short trail up Ice Cave Ridge. USGS 09349800 PIEDRA RIVER NEAR ARBOLES, CO. Be Nice. With plenty of day light left, we decided to cool down in the ice caves. Piedra Falls is a unique chute waterfall located an hour’s drive north of Pagosa Springs in the southwest part of the state. A great place to catch the salmonfly hatch after runoff, the fish are willing to eat some large flies. trusted team at Team Pagosa March, 2016 and we chose Debbie Loewen as our agent and thank God we did! The springs are accessible via a 3 mile roundtrip hike, often with wildlife sightings along the way. Photo Credit: J. 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