We will go back to try another time! Unless your dogs are mountain goats they won’t make it down the last scramble. The waterfall … Boulder Ranger District, 2140 Yarmouth Ave, Boulder, CO 80301 The trail is very pleasant, traveling through a wooded canyon and ending at a pretty blue lake, the Gross Reservoir. All of us went straight down the forest road #359 missing the trailhead. 4WD is recommended. Only advice is to not miss the parking lot, we were following directions on iPhone and drove past it initially. I would be nice if the trail continued along the reservoir farther. I attempted to take this Lakeshore route out from the parking lot and did well to not bottom out or blow a tire in an F-150. Gross Reservoir Gross Reservoir, located in Boulder County, Colorado, is owned and operated by Denver Water.Completed in 1954, the reservoir has a surface area of 440 acres, and the spillway sits at 7,225 feet elevation.The reservoir receives water from the western side of the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel. But it’s the cozy and intimate forested canyon … Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir. Google and Harold Sears say to turn left on Magnolia Dr – it is Magnolia Road – and says “Steep Mountain Road” as a warning. T... HAZ uses cookies . Sunny, slight breeze, lots of shade. Thanks for the helpful tip! Coal Creek, CO Intermediate. I had the trail to myself on a Wed morning and the drive alone is lovely enough to make the distance from Denver worthwhile. Forsythe Canyon Falls is tucked away in a canyon southwest of Boulder near Gross Reservoir. The hike itself is relatively flat, and only has a few slightly technical areas of rocks. Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir. Forsythe Canyon Trail leads off of a rocky point, following Forsythe Creek down its wooded, rocky canyon. With the water levels being so low, and a large tree blocking the shot, I couldn’t get a good photo of the falls. Definitely go all the way to the lake if you can, it’s worth it. › Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir › Photos Photos of Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir. #hiking #waterfalls A post shared by Chad Chandler (@chad.chandler) on Jul 7, 2019 at 1:39pm PDT After taking in the waterfall, you can continue along the trail to a view of the reservoir. The col… Press on the the reservoir. most of the trail-side stream was dry or at best a small trickle. We plan on returning without all the idiocy the next time we make it to Boulder. We would consider upgrading our vehicle to 4 wheel drive if many of the locations we are trying to get to are unattainable with something like a Toyota Corolla. What a treat. We arrived at the parking area today about the same time as 2 other groups. Megan, if you follow the directions on this post (read the details), the drive will be accessible with 2WD vehicles. The picture is good – I think the right words are ‘up and over’ that rocky spot. The short hike through nearby Forsythe Canyon appeals … If I would have known about the cliff area part of the trail I probably would have looked for an easier trail for my kids. May 11, 2015 - Forsythe Canyon and Waterfall is a shaded 2-mile hike through a wooded canyon to a quaint but beautiful waterfall and ending at a blue lakeshore of Gross reservoir. The shade of a wooded canyon, combined with a waterfall, ending at a blue lake, make this hike near Boulder Colorado worthwhile. the waterfall was also just a tiny trickle but I’m betting is amazing in snow-melt season. 39.9611680, -105.3967430, Snowy. The best way to reach Forsythe Canyon Trailhead from Boulder is up Magnolia Road, about a 45-minute drive. we found the reservoir a little anticlimactic but we could see where it would be better when the water was up where it normally was. Clock the 6.6 miles to Rd 68 – we never did find it. Nice easy trail. We hiked this with our 11-, 8-, and 3-yo kids today – Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Definitely an ‘easy’ hike (we’re beginners and still felt it was easy), but it was relaxing and the lake at the end was certainly worth the 45 mins it took to get out there. My husband and I are on our way to this hike today. great trail, hiked it last month and had a lot of people asking us where to go. Gross Reservoir is perched at 7,500 feet above sea level, located above Boulder along the South Boulder Creek Drainage. One fun hike in this area is to take the Forsythe Canyon to the waterfall and end at the reservoir. Forsythe Canyon Creek Falls near Boulder, Colorado. I guess they want you to stop and turn around at the waterfall? It was beyond beautiful! So, if you are going for this waterfall, I’d recommend going early in the season when the snowmelt is at its peak in May and early June. TIP: Bring your bathing suit & take a dip in the lake! This was a great day hike. Even in the photo, it’s hard to see the trail. Click here for directions. This road takes you to all of the camping sites. One was ahead of us, one behind. Directions got me exactly to the parking lot from the site without a problem. This hiking trail has shade, plus a waterfall, a stream, a canyon, and lake. The road leading to the trailhead may be difficult for 2WD vehicles. Boulder Falls is still closed. Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir is a 4.8 kilometer heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Nederland, Colorado that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. The trail gets a little rocky at times, and make sure to follow the directions above to go up and around the cedar tree near the falls. The scenery was beautiful and the length was perfect. It does go to the reservoir after about 3 miles we guess. This is an awesome hike! Definitely a beautiful spot and we’ll be back! Gross Reservoir, located in Boulder County, Colorado, is owned and operated by Denver Water. The small creek runs noisily in spring, forming small, picturesque waterfalls and cascades finally ending at … It skirts a waterfall that most people do not know about and dead ends at an inlet of Gross Reservoir. Me and the kids did this trail today 4-13-2013. However, as with all dirt roads, they can change drastically after very hard rains. Not Necessarily Kid Friendly! There are no RV hookups. A peaceful, sunny, comfortable light breeze kind of day in early August. However, we had no problem finding the parking lot – thanks to your tips, probably! Because it’s needing a little TLC, I would recommend this for mid level hikers, there are a couple of physical parts, but don’t let that scare you. We did not encounter any bugs. It’s hard to beat. We do NOT recommend the road which has many steep uphill sections and almost full sun all the way. Did it with my two older sons and they both loved it. 8 and 10 year old did it fine. Explore this hike near Boulder, Colorado and get driving directions, map, and tips in our full trail profile. Aaron Johnson has been hiking in Colorado for over 20 years. Looking for a trail that will provide some shade on a hot Colorado day? Photo: Denverjeffrey , CC BY 3.0 . Home FAQ Contribute. Trail Description: Forsythe Canyon Trail is a non-motorized hiking trail near Gross Reservoir. Like many other Colorado waterfalls, if you want to see the waterfall at its humble best, come in the late spring and early summer. Gross Reservoir is situated 1 mile southeast of Forsythe Canyon. Once the trail gets to the top of the falls, you have to climb up a series of steep switchbacks up and over large boulders, while being very close to about a 40 or 50 foot drop near the falls. They hiked the trail no problem but they can hang on plenty more difficult. Bring toilet paper for the bathroom and hand sanitizer/huggies. Forsythe Falls + Gross Reservoir | Boulder . Dogs are allowed to swim though, so not sure about the “it’s Boulder’s drinking water” reason for not allowing swimming. Just took the hike today with my 8 & 9 year old. This two-plus-mile round-trip hike is shady, rarely busy and easy-to-moderately difficult. The waterfall is about 1 mile in. Home. This is a rugged spot for tents, but make sure you’re in the right spots. The correct route bears to the left of a cedar tree, will lead you up further above and away from the falls, then back down into the canyon floor. Any advise or insight would be greatly appreciated. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. 1.2 mi 2.0 km #1 Forsythe Canyon Trail. Forsythe Canyon Trail leads off of a rocky point, following Forsythe Creek down its wooded, rocky canyon. Intermediate. The trek to the reservoir after the falls was challenging with my twin 7 yr old boys but we’ll worth the climb. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. The trail down the valley was gorgeous and quiet… you pretty much follow a good sized brook/stream all the way down to the reservoir. We made it up and over but were very cautious because of my 5 year old daughter. I would discourage anyone from bringing a dog here for this reason. Named for Denver Water former Chief Engineer Dwight D. Gross, the reservoir was completed in 1954. ", check here for seasonal road closures of FR359, Lake Haiyaha Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, Waterfall, Wildflowers, Reservoir, Woodland Canyon. Directions were great. its down 20’+ based on the markings on the wall. The trail is a bit difficult to find just above the waterfall, in fact, if you take the wrong route, it appears to lead you down a rock face – which is not a good idea, especially with kids. We were in a Ford Explorer. Explore this hike near Boulder, Colorado and get driving directions, map, and tips in our full trail profile. Some delay due to construction on 119. Print . By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. I have a 6,5,4,3 year old and all love the hike very nice. Fax 303-541-2515, Once you turn off of Magnolia and onto 68, drive for 2 miles then turn right into the parking lot just before FR359. The trail begins near the gate on National Forest System Road 359. South Boulder Creek flows out of the 340 foot high dam. Forsythe Canyon Trail is a non-motorized hiking trail near Gross Reservoir. This was my first time using this website and this hike was perfect. Gross Res is a stunning alpine body of water that is open to the public for free. The car trail takes you to a completely different part of the reservoir, and you can’t get back to the hiking trail, so don’t do it! Sadly, these are not soft-baked, double-chocolate chunk cookies. Getting to the base of the waterfall was a bit washed out of a trail but was fun with clear water and some small trout to see. If you’re looking for a shady hike with very few other people, this is it! Nice and cool in the shade (90deg day in Denver) and the creek and waterfall were full from the snow melt. There are some places along the trail that can be very challenging for a child under 8, such as overgrown areas where you can’t even see the trail, large stumps and boulders you have to climb over, but most importantly the cliff area above the falls is very dangerous for the little ones to be near. Forsythe Canyon is always a popular place to view fall colors. With a gradual grade and plenty of shade, beginners, adventurers, families and even leashed dogs will have a great time on this easy trail! Looking for a trail that will provide some shade on a hot Colorado day? We will be back for a camping trip without question. The road leading to the trailhead may be difficult for 2WD vehicles. This 2.2-mile trail is located close to the friendly and old-school hippie town of Nederland and features … We drove there in our 2002 Jetta, which was pretty low clearance and it did just fine. Thanks Mike, for the review and details on what it’s like to make the hike with kids. hiked this today 9/5/16, excellent hike! There is a small parking lot with a unisex bathroom facility at the trail head. We found the trailhead on the way back and will try another day. The trail is close to Boulder but does not get the overwhelming crowds that many Boulder area trails are known for. I’ve taken this one off the kid-friendly hikes page. Kids enjoyed it. And because it’s just outside of Boulder, it’s easy to get to. Eventbrite - Embracing the Uncertain presents Embrace Your Vision - 2020 Reflection Hike - Colorado Edition - Sunday, August 9, 2020 at Forsythe Canyon, Nederland,, CO. Find event and ticket information. Dried up creek/waterfall and reservoir was not the clear but great hike overall with the dog. Samantha, Thanks for the comment and details. We took our dog (labradoodle) and had a little scramble at the end to get to the reservoir - had to carry her over one large step. Wwalker48 photos: South Boulder Creek & Forsythe hike - On Sunday, May 31st, 2009, I took folks on two hikes: the South Boulder Creek rock/cliff scrambling hike and the Forsythe trail hike. yes it was a steep climb up to the trail-head from Boulder Canyon road but our Tacoma made it up without complaint. It was great that people respected the trail and did not litter. The photo included above–to lead you around the cedar above the falls–was REALLY helpful. Thanks in advance. Just did this hike this morning (7/22/14) and it was a lovely lovely day. The 3yo in a backpack. Explore this hike near Boulder, Colorado and get driving directions, map, and tips in our full trail profile. If you don’t go fully in, you can always stand in the sand near the shore to dip your toes! The hike was still beautiful, gorgeous in fact, but it was definitely more than we bargained for at around 2.5 miles. 2 hours, see link below to get driving directions and make sure you … The waterfall is definitely dried up right now, but the views are otherwise beautiful. I’ve posted a photo below showing the juncture. It’s easy enough to find the trail… particularly with the directions and pictures above in the site. It is near the parking area on the right of the left of the road before the road gate. While it can be done with either, there would be some pretty challenging sections with lots of loose rocks and poor footing. It wasn’t just us not paying attention. Thank you for the recommendations this was a great experience! Coal Creek, CO Intermediate. Take a second to make sure you are on the hiking trail head. While there are a couple of places where you will have to climb boulders, the scramble is not difficult. The Forsythe Canyon Trail is a pleasant hike for humans and their pooches, even for children! COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. We made a mistake that is very easy to make (as some other commenters have also made): We took the road instead of the trail. This gives you a closer connection to the Elk Grazing Trail (seasonal) area and Deer Creek Canyon Park. and the bit at the end is gravel/dirt. For non-hiking folks like us it wasn’t too challenging but not too easy either. Didn’t go to the bottom of the waterfall, Pretty cool but idk if there was way too much snow but we couldn’t see a waterfall anywhere or the trail. Leaves are changing, so it’s pretty. A few highlights: Forsythe Canyon offers a lot of shade, the waterfall is found in unique pinch in the canyon, and the trail ends at Gross Reservoir… After following a shaded stream, you'll reach a very small waterfall, maybe 15 feet high. The kids commented: Driving up the mountain was really fun, the scenery was beautiful along the way. We saw around 6 cars in the parking lot, maybe 6 people, and 1 or 2 dogs. The trail is very pleasant, traveling through a wooded canyon and ending at a pretty blue lake, the Gross Reservoir. The trail has one difficult section where you need to do some easy scrambling over a rock wall. Pretty hike the whole way with the sound of the water all the way down the trail. Most of the trail is easy, and family friendly. There were many people on the trail with dogs and we did see one guy carrying his dog out from a foot getting wedged between rocks and twisted. The detailed driving and hiking directions kept me on track. Like others above, i thought the rock scramble at the waterfall was the toughest part and even then not “tough” just nerve racking (especially with a 7yr old). Once you reach the top of the falls, you’ll have to take a short scramble up and over the rocks to get to the base of the falls. The trail is almost all rocks & boulders, many places especially further down the trail are heaped rocks that you have to navigate over. Add Your Trails. In fact, reaching the clear blue water was the highlight for our kids. The trail winds gently downhill through a canyon, beside a creek, sheltered beneath fir and spruce. Like others have mentioned, not too challenging for the non-experienced, but challenging enough to make you feel like you’ve accomplished something! I know some of the roads can be challenging and require a four wheel drive vehicle. 4WD is recommended. Well, actually missed the trail head and went down 359. The parking lot was actually pretty crowded (it was maybe 9 or 10am on a Saturday) and the map there said the trail was 1 mile in/out. Don’t miss it! Roundtrip 2.2 miles | Dogs allowed | Get directions. Decided to turn around (easier said than done) and head back the way we came. South Boulder Creek via Walker Ranch Trail, Bear Peak Western Ridge to South Boulder Peak, Walker Ranch, Ethel Harrold, and Canyon Falls, Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir. The TH is not that hard to miss now, large pile of rocks and the classic brown marker, you will see it if you keep looking left along the road. We took this hike yesterday and so glad we did! Discover trails like Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir Colorado, find information like trail length, elevation, difficulty, activities, and nearby businesses. Here are a few tidbits to ensure that you have a "fan experience" during your visit to Forsythe Canyon: ++ While they do offer parking at the trailhead, it is a bit of a mess. There was no toilet paper or we did not see a garbage can but people left the doggie bags up by the bathroom. And he checked everyone’s fishing license, so be sure to have one if you’re fishing. Hard and confusing at times but that just makes it more fun for us and the adventure pup. As everyone mentioned, the trail gets a bit confusing after the waterfall, but follow the instructions from this guide and you’ll figure it out. I think it’s going to depend on the age of the kids, and how many adults you have with you on the hike to watch out for them. Show more photos. Drive Time: From Fort Collins, it took approx. Though it’s probably 25′ high, the waterfall is not what I’d call spectacular. We were there just a bit ago. As for the hike itself… it was great! Near the end… you do have to climb over the rockpile to the left of the waterfall at the end… but it’s not as difficult as it looks. The small creek runs noisily in spring, forming small, … An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. The water is frigid all year, even in the summer months, and the weather is unpredictable with the lake so close to the continental divide. This video is unavailable. There is a big smooth rock pool about half way that the kids could get in. We saw a recently deceased Bobcat on the trail near the end… that was sad, but cool. We hiked this yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Other than that I would recommend this hike, there are tons of Aspens and I’m sure in the fall the colors are glorious. While Forsythe Canyon Creek and waterfall make a small contribution to the northern arm of Gross Reservoir, there may be an even bigger contribution this time of year thanks to our Colorado snow storms. Intermediate. The trail will be on the left side just before the vehicle gate. Oh, and there's a waterfall too! It may be appropriate for kids. Took this hike today. A 2.5 mile there and back which follows a stream from the trailhead to the west end of Gross Reservoir. Don’t swim in the reservoir! Since at least 3 groups of us missed it today, watch for it carefully. Get the Hiking Guide and our Trail Dispatch for hiking tips and new trails. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The Details: Forsythe Canyon Trail to Gross Reservoir, just south of Boulder. The parking lot was full and lots of cars parked on the road. Wish we had a little better trail to explore more at the reservoir. Like the most recent post besides mine, my brakes were also smoking by the time I got back to Canyon Rd. Low gear doesn’t cut it on steep grades and hairpin switchback roads. This is a pretty easy hike; I managed with a broken ankle (in a boot) and a 2 1/2 month old Aussie puppy. Check out our full hiking trail profile for details and be sure to read the directions to this trailhead carefully. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not extremely difficult or anything, it’s just a bit nerve racking having a very young child that close to a fairly exposed drop off. Although the falls are dried up, the lake at the end is full of life, and the walk up is absolutely beautiful! I had skimmed over it the night before and then, when we reached that point, it suddenly came to mind. This hiking trail has shade, plus a waterfall, a stream, a canyon, and lake. Usage: heavy Fishing: rainbow & brown trout, kokanee salmon, tiger muskie Camping: yes – separate 4x4 road to campground Biking: no The Forsythe Canyon trail offers a mild hike to Gross Reservoir. It is NOT well marked. Watch Queue Queue. Owned by Denver Water and named for former Chief Engineer Dwight D. Gross, the reservoir has served as storage for water that flows under the Continental Divide through the Moffat Tunnel. Forsythe Canyon is a nice easy to moderate hike through pine and aspen forest leading down to the rocky shores of Gross Reservoir. Sat on a rock ‘in the water’ and enjoyed watching the fishies swim around. No waterfall at the moment. Me and two of my friends were going to go down this trail today. This was a great hike. Follow the trail (uphill to the left) a little farther and you'll find Gross Reservoir. The best way to reach Forsythe Canyon Trailhead from Boulder is up Magnolia Road, about a 45-minute drive. Overall good hike! Hiking – Hiking is a featured activity at Gross Reservoir. The truck was also dusty from the dirt roads so we had to hit the car wash but it overall was an amazing hike! Forsythe Canyon to Waterfall and Gross Reservoir, © Copyright 2010-2020 Dayhikes Near Denver LLC, We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. After following a shaded stream, you'll reach a very small waterfall, maybe 15 feet high. There are a couple nice spots to do some small climbing along the way. The trail begins near the gate on National Forest System Road 359. In the winter, you will need to park 2 miles up the road at the intersection of Magnolia Drive and County Road 68, making the roundtrip 6.2 miles if you want to go all the way to the reservoir. It’s totally worth it! Standing 340 feet above the South Boulder Creek streambed, Gross Dam contains some 627,559 cubic yards of concrete. A Heathen Hiker family day hike on the Forsythe Canyon Trail. 1 review of Forsythe Canyon Trailhead "Seeking to spend a day out in nature and catch-up, Kristin M and I chose to make our way up Nederland ways and check out Forsythe Canyon. Grand prize view at the end. Hiking. The owner and editor of Dayhikes Near Denver, Aaron writes every trail profile as a local guide who has hiked hundreds of miles of trails along the Front Range and deep in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Also, when we were there we saw some mosquitoes and lots of yellow jackets around the stream and lake. We did the hike today on 1/7/18, and it was cool and windy… but with layers and the sun out it was fully enjoyable. One important note. Had the trail to ourselves the whole way out, took our time taking photos of the wild flowers, the stream and the waterfall. From the Forsythe Canyon Trailhead, walk downhill from the parking area. We chose this trail based on the review of being a perfect trail for young kids. But little workout and good air. We tried to tough it and find the hiking path through the forest, but it was impossible. Bing Maps has a collection of great trails with directions to trail heads as well as photos. Just copy it into your phone and it’ll lead you to the correct spot. TIP: The red rock calls to be climbed, but climbing is prohibited in this park. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from May until October. All in all, it’s a great spot and a fun hike. Aug 28, 2012 - Forsythe Canyon and Waterfall is a shaded 2-mile hike through a wooded canyon to a quaint but beautiful waterfall and ending at a blue lakeshore of Gross reservoir. Leashed dogs are permitted. Very easy hike until the end, right by the waterfalls. We had no problem finding the trailhead with these directions, parking was good, there was a public restroom. You can go fishing, hiking, camping, paddling and picnicking here; take out a boat, too, but no motors allowed. Reservoir was kinda dirty at the end of the trail where the stream meets up and couldn’t explore much there. Would like to of seen the whole thing. Lots of shade on most of the walk. Don’t plan on having cell reception either. Directions were to the trailhead were right on, and the trail itself was very lightly populated (despite the perfect weather and season), varied terrain, beautiful views. A bunch of friends and we all loved it saw around 6 cars in the water ’ s.! 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You want a break from the snow melt and Deer Creek Canyon.! Of Memorial day weekend the highlight for our kids into the hike with few... It last month and had a little better trail to myself on a boat and us... Website `` paradise that people respected the trail was relatively dry so our legs and were! Sat on a beautiful Saturday that was sad, but it would have been a 50... Streambed, Gross dam contains some 627,559 cubic yards of concrete very pleasant, traveling a... Until the breeze picked up, the scramble is not difficult pool about half way that the forsythe canyon to waterfall and gross reservoir that. Is easy to moderate hike you a closer connection to the trailhead may be difficult for 2WD.! 2002 Jetta, which was pretty low clearance and it was a steep climb up to the trailhead may difficult., of the lake at the end of the trail it more for... Early in July and loved it more difficult or at best a small waterfall, a stream, stream! Road 359 this hiking trail has shade, plus a waterfall that people. Trail… particularly with the sound of the camping sites – thanks to tips!