The use-trail was slightly longer than that of the lower waterfall, but it was less steep.ДЄt the base of the upper waterfall, the plunge pool here seemed to be a bit deeper though there was less real-estate to move around without going into the creek. Unlike the scramble to the lower drop, this ledge trail was a bit more tame and less eroded.

Not long after starting this pursuit, I spotted another ledge trail that led directly to the base of the upper drop of the waterfall. Following a wider and more tame trail to the base of the upper drop of South Fork Mineral Creek Falls When I noticed that there appeared to be a continuation of a trail that went further uphill from the contextual viewing spot of the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls, I pursued it to see where else it went. I also noticed that there was somewhat of a little alcove here, which can play tricks with the acoustics as it can make me think that there was rushing water coming from the alcove itself instead of the waterfall! Accessing the Base of the Upper Drop of South Fork Mineral Creek Falls Then, there was an even more crumbly and steep final few steps to get to the banks of the South Fork Mineral Creek itself.ДЇrom down here, I felt that the water was rather painfully cold (owing to its snow-fed source), but the closer I got to the waterfall, the harder it was to see the upper drop. Context of the final few steps of the somewhat eroded ledge trail leading to the bottom of South Fork Mineral Creek Falls There was a bit of a precarious first step to get by the first eroded part of this ledge on the descent. Near the view that revealed the entirety of the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls, I noticed there was a narrow and eroded ledge trail that went precariously towards the bottom of the lower waterfall.

Accessing the Base of the Lower Drop of South Fork Mineral Creek Falls A trail from the South Mineral Campground that led me across this crossing of Clear Creek on the way to South Fork Mineral Creek FallsДЄnyways, on the other side of the creek, I saw an even more obvious trail that turned to my left and then started going uphill from the confluence of South Fork Mineral Creek and Clear Creek.Д«arely a couple minutes into this climb, I started to hear and then see the context of the pair of drops comprising the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls.

However, IвЂ™d imagine that it would be non-trivial trying to keep a pair of hiking boots dry on such a crossing. Since I came prepared with Keens, I had no trouble getting across the shin-deep stream. I suspected that this parking lot was meant to be the trailhead for the Ice Lake Basin, it was also fine as a trailhead for the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls.ДЄlthough there were no signs indicating the target waterfall, I pretty much followed the looping camp road for roughly a quarter-mile until I saw a use-trail that crossed Clear Creek (a side creek that merged with South Fork Mineral Creek further downstream). Looking back towards some colorful mountains in the distance as seen from the idyllic South Mineral Campground This brief excursion began from a busy day use parking area across from the South Mineral Campground (see directions below). In addition to a pretty short 1-mile round-trip hike to the South Fork Mineral Creek Falls (which involved a stream crossing), there was also the option of hiking up to the Ice Lake Basin for something more ambitious. However, as you can see from the photo above, I thought it was the color of the water contrasting with the surrounding cliffs that seemed to have a tinge of purple and red that really made this place photogenic to boot!ДЄs if that wasnвЂ™t enough, there was also an idyllic campsite called the South Mineral Campground, which was surrounded by tall cliffs in an open setting. Both drops of South Fork Mineral Creek Falls The nice thing about this waterfall was that I was able to access the base of each tier, which seemed conducive to wading or even swimming. South Fork Mineral Creek Falls was a pleasant two-tiered waterfall each dropping about 40-50ft with a colorful plunge pool, especially when the run strikes its crystal clear waters.

South fork colorado