Stop 12: North Clear Creek Falls

This stop has Restrooms

Once an important stage stop on the Antelope Springs to Lake City toll road, this area has much to offer today’s visitor.  From the surrounding terrain, how surprised one is to learn that one of Colorado’s most beautiful waterfalls is found and enjoyed here.  Simply follow the signs to the parking area, take a short walk and Voila! – There are the falls!  Be sure to hold onto your pets and children while enjoying this area.  For your safety, please stay behind the fence and railings.

From the parking lot, a trail takes you east to a knoll, which offers a breathtaking view of Bristol Head Mountain, the Santa Maria Reservoir and other Rio Grande headwaters reservoirs and lakes.

North clear creek falls DeeDeeHutcherson

North clear creek falls

(EXTRA STOP) Wildlife Viewing Spot

The red-stemmed willows along Hwy 149 are the perfect setting for a moose sighting opportunity. Not far after the North Clear Creek Falls stop is a large pull-over area overlooking a large willow area where moose and other wildlife tend to hang-out. Binoculars may be useful at this location. Colorado Parks and Wildlife began introducing moose into this area in 1991.  Over a two-year period, a total of 91 moose were released at the North Clear Creek Falls area.  The moose were transported from northern Colorado, northeastern Utah and southwestern Wyoming.

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Credits and Acknowledgments

The research, writing and production of this interpretive booklet were made possible by grants from the following generous organizations: Federal Highway Administration Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA), colorado Historical Society, Western Colorado Interpretive Association (WCIA), Hinsdale County Lodging Tax Panel, Lake City Chamber of Commerce, the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, the Silver Thread Scenic and Historic Byway Council, and the Rio Grande Watershed Emergency Action Coordination Team. Special thanks to Grant Houston of the Hinsdale County Historical Society, Lynna Jackson of Creede, Nancy Houston, and the authors, Laurene Farley and Sandy Thompson of the U.S. Forest Service, Gunnison, Colorado. Layout and design update by B4 Studio, Creede.