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Maxwell Falls

Evergreen, Colorado

3.4/5
based on 14 reviews

Details

Distance

3.95 miles

Elevation Gain

928 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Ryan Mckinney

Getting to Maxwell Falls is a 4-mile loop with about 644 feet of elevation change. This is an awesome waterfall hike located less than an hour from Denver and is an easy to moderate family-friendly hike.

Located just outside of Evergreen, this beginner hike is a great escape from the city for a few hours. There are three different options to hike to the falls: Maxwell Falls Lower Trail (4 miles), Upper Maxwell Falls Trail (1.1 miles), and Maxwell Falls Bluffs Cliffside Trail Loop (5 miles). On this hike, I started from the Maxwell Falls Lower Trailhead. I arrived at 8:00 am and the parking lot was half full, so I would recommend getting an early start.

There are two creek crossings on this trail. At the first crossing, the trail is not clearly marked. You will come across a large downed tree over the creek; this is where you cross the creek. Turn right and make your way up the switchbacks. The rest of the trail is pretty well-marked. Maxwell Falls is best in Spring and early Summer.

This is an easy-to-moderate hike that is great for the whole family. Don't forget to bring your pup! I saw lots of happy dogs on this trail.

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Features

Fitness
Photography
Running
Hiking
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Groups
Scenic
Waterfall
Wildlife

Maxwell Falls Reviews

We had a few hours to kill and decided on a shorter hike around the outmost edge of Maxwell Falls trail. I 100% recommend taking the path less traveled by going as far around the outside as you can due to the highly populated trails through the middle. I guestimate we went about 5.5-6 miles and I could have done more as this was very easy terrain. Our dogs loved it and my legs loved it more. Only took us 2 hours to do that with some exploring so don't plan on a full day.

did this hike on 04/23/2016.. it was wonderful than what i expected .. there is lot of snow through out the trail and the Maxwell stream is very scenic .. its an easy hike but i will definitely comeback for this hike when there is snow

Explorer

04/24/16

We did this hike on April 23, 2016 (a week after a huge snowstorm) and it was wonderful! We definitely needed our Yaktrax but even that only helped so much - slushy spring snow, anyone? It was a gentle, easy hike with only 2 sections of "tougher" uphill, but even those weren't bad. I will say, though, that we crossed the creek 6(!) times instead of just 2. Only once was there a bridge, the rest were just walking through a few inches of water. Overall, it was a great hike!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Upper Maxwell Falls Trail

Evergreen Mountain Loop

Boulder The Eggs on the Hidden Fawn Trail

Three Sisters

Hike the South Loop at Elk Meadow Park

Pence Park's Independence Mountain Trail