Home » Outdoor & Recreation » Hiking in Colorado » Green Mountain Falls and Garden of Eden

Green Mountain Falls and Garden of Eden

© Virginia O'Connor

Introduction

This trail leads up past a water fall, through the woods and into the Garden of Eden! If you continue after the Garden, you will arrive at a lake. It is a lovely hike in the summer and older children are very capable of handling this hike. It is not recommended for younger children.

Trail Rating

• Boots: Three boots.
• Kids: Older kids can handle this trail. Younger ones, probably not.
• Dogs: Definitely!
• Facilities: Nope, none.

What to Bring

Your dog, the leash, your older children and a pack with water. Bring light jackets for everyone too. This trail climbs fairly high up through the trees and over a ridge. Most of the trail is shaded, so it tends to be cold until you get to the top. The weather can change quickly and even in the summer, we have gotten soaked with a surprise rain storm while hiking this trail.

How to Get There

From Colorado Springs, take Cimarron Ave. (Highway 24) west past Manitou. It is nine miles from Manitou to Green Mountain Falls. Watch for the Green Mountain Falls road sign as you pass Cascade because you exit on the left and it can be tricky in traffic. After you turn off Highway 24, travel straight through Chipeta Park on Chipeta Park Rd. Turn left on Ute Pass Avenue and turn left on Hondo Ave. Stop! This is where the road turns to gravel. It is important to park at the bottom of the road because the only parking on this road is for private residents. At the trail head, it is a tow away zone, so the only thing to do is turn around. It is a very tight spot to turn around in too, so I highly recommend that you leave your vehicle at the bottom.

Trail Specifics

After you climb the road, you will see a bridge and a large metal storage facility. The water falls begin here and you will have to cross the bridge to get to the trail head. See the picture.

On the trail, you will notice blue and yellow circular markers indicating the direction of the trail. As you start up the trail, you will do some initial boulder scrambling. The water falls are lovely through this section of the trail and it is often hard to pay attention to your feet. Take your time through this section. Stop often to see the water falls and then continue to pay attention to your feet as you climb.

The copyright of the article Green Mountain Falls and Garden of Eden in Hiking in Colorado is owned by . Permission to republish Green Mountain Falls and Garden of Eden in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.