Helen Hunt Falls & Silver Cascade Falls: Colorado Springs

Hello again everybody!! Sorry for the long silence, I have spent the last several months dealing with first trimester nausea and all around fatigue!!

….did I mention I’m pregnant?? Well I am! I’m glad we cleared that up 🙂

Anyways, I wanted to post about one of Colorado Spring’s easiest to access waterfalls! For those of you who know the area, you know that Seven Falls is the better known and more touristy of waterfalls to see.

It also comes with an admission price and a shuttle bus.

Helen Hunt Falls is not nearly as tall or impressive of a waterfall as Seven Falls.  Despite this, I’m more into free entertainment when possible, and Helen Hunt Falls comes with a short and sweet hike that allows you to see Silver Cascade Falls and a sweeping view of Colorado Springs as well! It’s pretty much a bargain hunters dream!

If that’s not enough of a reason to visit, the drive alone through the canyon is!

Helen Hunt Falls is located in North Cheyenne Canyon Park – which happens to be my favorite area in Colorado Springs!  There is a ton of hiking and beautiful scenery in this area, and even though you’re very much surrounded by the city, you really don’t feel like it!

As you drive through the canyon, parking appears on either side when you near the waterfall. Helen Hunt Falls is visible from the parking lot, so it’s a real easy sell for members of your party that aren’t as physically able.  I’ve seen it in the early spring and the summer, and obviously it’s way less crowded in the early spring! Here’s a picture of it this last March:

Directions to the Falls: (Coming from W. Cimarron/HWY-24) Turn South onto 21st Street (which will turn into Cresta Road).  Turn right onto Cheyenne Blvd (this will be a very short ways past the high school, the turn off will have signs for Starsmore Discovery Center).  You will follow this road all the way down until you get to an intersection with a stop sign (Starsmore Discovery Center will be directly ahead on your right).  Turn right and follow the winding road into the canyon.  The waterfall and parking lot will be directly on this road, so you can’t miss it!

Restrooms: There are several port-a-potties at the parking lot but no other facilities.

Distance of hiking trail: From Helen Hunt Falls to the lookout at the top the trail is roughly 0.7 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to difficult in some parts, depending on physical abilities

Pets OK? Pets are OK on leashes.

Crowds: Seasonal. If you visit during the summer it can be difficult to find parking and the trail can be crowded.  Opt for early morning on a weekday.

Fees/Permits: Parking and access are free

Tips:

• Colorado can often have short afternoon showers during the summer.  Bring a jacket with a hood in your car just in case or you may have to steal your dad’s like I did!
• Hydration is key in this desert/mountain region, even though the hike will be short! Bring something to drink!
• The strength and flow of the waterfall can be seasonal. The above pictures are from the beginning of June, but I have read reviews that said the waterfall was not that impressive later in the summer, so please be aware.
• Silver Cascade Falls, in all honesty, is not an impressive waterfall. However, the hike is beautiful and worth it to get your view from the top.  The best part about the hike is that it’s short and doesn’t take up much of your day, leaving you free to visit other places!
• My parents, who are both in their 60’s, were able to hike to the top of the trail.  There are a few places to stop along the way with benches available for those of y’all who need rest!
• The visitor’s center is directly to the right of the falls, but it’s not always open and it doesn’t have restrooms. It did give out water bottles for a donation, which was nice after our hike.
• If you go in early spring, be aware that the trail is very icy in some places, and if you go when it rains, some areas will be slick!
• You are in the mountains! The possibility of meeting wildlife is very real so please be aware of your surroundings and your little ones!
• Do not drive up this road if it’s snowing without 4-wheel or all wheel drive! My husband and I have seen several cars stuck up here in the past!

The beginning of your hike takes you over the top of Helen Hunt Falls, and starts to climb up the mountain.

Once you climb a little over halfway, you’ll spot Silver Cascade Falls, pictured below:

I will say this once again, Silver Cascade Falls is not a super impressive waterfall, and I would imagine in the drier months it’s barely a trickle.  However, it is a nice little scenic bonus on this short hike! The above view and the view from the top of the trail are your best viewing spots.  Otherwise, viewing can leave a little something to be desired.

Once you begin to pass Silver Cascade Falls you are almost to the top!

At the top there is a scenic viewing area that allows you to see out the canyon you drove up and into Colorado Springs! You also get a view from the top of Silver Cascade Falls!

Overall, this is one of my favorite places to take visitor’s to! It’s a beautiful drive, a pretty waterfall, and a short hike that leave you plenty of time for sightseeing elsewhere!

What do you guys think?? Have you been here?? Do you think it’s worth seeing??? I wanna know!

Until next time!