Upper Maxwell Falls Trail is a 2.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Shaffers Crossing, Colorado that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
hiking
nature trips
walking
forest
river
views
waterfall
Pretty once you get to the (mostly empty) falls, but a longer and harder hike than advertised, so be prepared if with little kids (like we were). Not very well marked either.
Three ridge lines that the trail meanders over and plenty of switchbacks. Cross the creek a tile or two. Saw a cow elk within 15 mins of starting. Kinda crowded after 10
Nice easy short hike. Arrived 7AM on a Sunday morning, plenty of parking, only two others on the trail. Crowds started arriving at 8ish as we were finishing.
awesome views!!
Decent trail....small waterfall....and very crowded with people
This was not an easy trail, it was definitely moderate and there are barely any trail markers. We got lost and had to hike back up. Try doing that with three kids in tears at this point. Also we didn’t find the waterfall. Pretty hike, but will never go back.
Do you like public urination, screaming children and people bathing in the river? then this trail is for you. I wish I was exaggerating when I say there were hundreds of people on this trail. the kind of people that listen to music from a speaker in their backpack, who loudly declare they are going to take a leak so don't look and who stop to gather in the middle of the trail to gawk and not let other hikers pass. not a single time along the trail were we out of ear shot of the people shouting to talk over the other people yelling to be heard over the sounds of the river. Children were everywhere, some unattended, all shouting. Many people were on the other side of the trail in the natural areas, whether it was a vain attempt to escape the crowds or urinate, I couldn't tell. it's a shame what people are doing to the treasured areas of our state.
Super beautiful hike. Went while is was misting and 45-50 degrees. Only downfall was the trail is not very well marked. Very easy to get lost.
Beautiful hike but difficult to figure out the trails/loop. Ended up hiking to the wrong parking lot and had to go all the way back.
It was beautiful hike, but the trails are so hard to follow we got lost trying to stick to the right loop. Much less crowded up top than we were prepared for so that was a huge bonus for. a bright and warm Sunday.
This was a good and easy trail. It had snowed the day before but there was enough traffic that the trail was clear. It was a little hard to see where the loop was supposed to be, and we missed the falls completely because it was frozen and then covered in powder.
Great Hike...but hard to tell where the trail actually is!
Love this trail, beautiful and great for taking out-of-staters
Easy trail. The waterfall is easy to miss when the water is frozen, and especially when it's been a dry winter. That said, I think the true attraction is the upper part of the trail, where you can have a picnic on the rock cliffs. This is a good trail for dogs; not too steep and short enough that they don't get worn out. Downsides include congestion on weekends and there was a LOT of unbagged dog poop. I guess that's common on most trails within an hour of the city, which is unfortunate. Shame on those of you who don't clean up after your pet. Forgot the bag? Doubtful. Even if you did forget the bag, wait for the next person to come along with a dog - there are plenty of them - and ask them to give you a bag. Don't just leave it there.
Nice, easy hike.
The trails are not well marked so it's easy to get off onto other trails. Absolutely stunning area though
well marked, but crowded on a holiday weekend. falls underwhelming - did not realized they were the "falls" until after we passed at first. views OK. would be good for families with kids - lots of boulders to scramble across.
Don't go
Nice hike, close to Denver. There were a fair number of people, but not too crowded. The falls themselves were a bit underwhelming, but plenty of shade, and a well marked trail.
Nice, moderate hike. The four year old handled it admirably. The nine year old struggled after slipping on a rock, but made it. Nice and shaded almost all the way, and the waterfall, once you find it, is a nice photo-op. Somewhat busy, but plenty of room for everyone.
This trail was absolutely gorgeous. The trail paralleled the waterfall, which descended down the mountain for quite a distance. The main source of the waterfall was beautiful and even had some novice climber-friendly rocks. It wasn't overly crowded with people (considering we went on a Sunday) and was only a short drive from Denver. Great for an afternoon adventure! :)