Waterfall Hero Hikes: Saint Mary's Falls (Pike)

Saint Mary's Falls is a tall waterfall on Buffalo Canyon Creek, a tributary of North Cheyenne Creek, in El Paso County, Colorado. The waterfall is located in the Pikes Peak Ranger District of Pike National Forest but can be accessed from North Cheyenne Cañon Park.

Hike Length: 6 miles
Estimated Time: 3 to 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Pikes Peak Ranger District of Pike National Forest
Trail Users: Hiking, biking and equestrian
Dogs: Yes
Features: Waterfalls (1)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfalls are very slippery.
Trailhead GPS: 38.79042,-104.90383
Waterfall GPS: 38.77098,-104.91854

Directions:

From Colorado Springs, take exit 140 from I-25 and go south on Tejon Street. In a quarter-mile, bear right on Cheyenne Boulevard. In 2.5 miles, bear right on North Cheyenne Canyon Road to enter North Cheyenne Cañon Park. Drive about 3 miles to the parking area where North Cheyenne Canyon Road meets Gold Camp Road and park here.

Map:

Hike Description:

From the parking area, hike Upper Gold Camp Road for about 1.2 miles to closed tunnel #3. Follow the trail up and over the tunnel to Saint Mary's Falls Trail (#624). Turn right on the trail to follow Bear Canyon Creek upstream another 1.7 miles to the waterfall.