Fish Creek (Steamboat Springs)

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Difficulty:‌3C II (v4a3 I)

Raps:‌7, max ↨110ft

Metric

Overall:
Approach:		⟷2.3mi	↑1440ft

Red Tape:‌No permit required

Shuttle:‌None

Vehicle:Passenger

Rock type:Granite

Start:

40.4760, -106.7498

Parking:

40.4816, -106.7769

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Condition Reports:

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Weather:

Weather forecast

Waterflow

Best season:

Jul-Oct; BEST Aug-Sep

winter				spring				summer				fall
Dec	Jan	Feb		Mar	Apr	May		Jun	Jul	Aug		Sep	Oct	Nov

Regions:

North America

United States

Colorado

Park Range (Colorado)

Download: KML / GPX | Open in CalTopo | Printable Map

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Introduction[edit]

Lower Fish Creek Falls is a very popular trailhead close to the town of Steamboat with a 0.7 out-and-back Overlook Trail and a 4.7 mile out-and-back trail to the upper falls.

Consider doing this descent midweek and/or after school starts in August to avoid congestion in the popular parking lots.

Fish Creek Stream Gauge: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv/?site_no=09238900
18cfs is Very High; 8cfs is Low

Lower Fish Creek Falls @ Spring Runoff
Upper Fish Creek Falls @ Spring Runoff
Lower Fish Creek Falls @ 18cfs
Upper Fish Creek Falls @ 18cfs

Approach[edit]

(The Overlook Trail departs from the information sign at the north side of the main parking)

From the parking lot take the trail to the East, staying to the right on the Fish Creek National Recreation Trail -100ft down to the Historic Fish Creek Bridge avoiding the left on the Picnic Trail.

$5 day use fee area
old map
Lower Fish Creek Falls from the historic bridge

Cross the Lower Historic Bridge and continue uphill for a total 2.25 miles +1440ft. The trail crosses another bridge from the south side of the creek to the north just above Middle Fish Creek Falls.

Just after the Upper Falls comes into view, continue on a few switchbacks to the left to get above them and depart the trail when a small gorge comes into view just above the falls. Start here.

Descent[edit]

R1: 50' from a retrievable anchor off a large aspen tree set well back from the short 15' waterfall. A slightly longer length would allow for the pull. It is possible to downclimb to get around this drop.

R1 into a small gorge
R1 waterfall
R1 pulling the rope

R2: 80' Upper Fish Creek Falls from a tree on Canyon Left

R2 Upper Fish Creek Falls from above - a popular hiker stop
R2 Upper Fish Creek Falls

R3: 95' from a rock pinch in Canyon Center for two stages

R3 two stages
R3 first stage
R3 second stage and Canyon Right escape gully

Exit by climbing up a steep gully on Canyon Right at the bottom of the pool after R3. Return to the trail and hike down to the lower portion of the canyon.

Alternatively, continue downstream for more downclimbing several small waterfalls in this exposed granite section.

When the granite walls start to fade, the stream flattens a bit and the plant life becomes more abundant, exit on Canyon Right when the trail is near. A small side pool is a good landmark.

downclimbing below R3
downclimbing below R3

Continue down the trail to the bridge just above Middle Fish Creek Falls. Re-enter the creek here or keep walking down the trail.

The bridge above Middle Fish Creek Falls to the next rappel is a non-technical half mile of stream walking and several downclimbs (in low water flow) in a pretty granite gorge with small clear pools.

Downclimb Middle Fish Creek Falls
stream walking below R3

Alternatively, hiking the trail further down from the bridge above Middle Fish Creek Falls, a switchback will cut sharply to the right. When it cuts back to the left, take a social trail into the forest to the north and negotiate upstream in the forest just above R4 to not miss this rappel.

R4: 65' from a rock pinch in Canyon Center. This can be downclimbed on Canyon Left (in lower water flow)

R5: 60' from a tree on Canyon Left, just past R4.

R4
R4
R5
R5
downclimbing a few tiers by a confluence

Streamwalk a third of a mile. A stream will join Fish Creek about half way and present a narrower multistage downclimb.

Just before Lower Fish Creek Falls and small waterfall cascades into a deep pool. Bypass this on Canyon Right or choose to set this up as an optional rappel.

Walk overland from the pool on Canyon Right and downclimb around the last few trees in the forest to the anchor sequence for R6: Lower Fish Creek Falls.

Pool above R6 Lower Fish Creek Falls
R6a a short rappel to the main bolts
R6b from the top

R6a: 30' from a tree on Canyon Right to the main rappel anchor

R6b: 110' Lower Fish Creek Falls from two bolted climbing hangers equalized with webbing. Because this waterfall is ice climbed, many anchors exist around this final ledge. Bolts with chains are on Rappeller's Left, which could be used to stay out of the flow at at higher cfs. Another anchor is higher on a tree to Rappeller's Right. More bolts are placed inaccessibly across the flow on Rappeller's Right for winter ascents.

R7: 70' from a rock pinch on Canyon Left. This can be downclimbed on Canyon Right.

Following R7, a potentially jumpable pool forms on Canyon Left. (validate depth first)

R6b Lower Fish Creek Falls
R7
R6 & R7
Possible jumping pool (verify first)

Exit onto the Historic Fish Creek Bridge on Canyon Left.

Exit[edit]

Walk uphill to the parking lot on the approach trail.

Red tape[edit]

Fish Creek Falls National Recreation Trail requires $5 as a Day Use Parking Fee or displaying a National Parks Pass also covers this requirement.

Beta sites[edit]

Fish Creek Overlook Trail https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/fish-creek-falls-overlook-trail--2

Fish Creek Falls Trail https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/colorado/fish-creek-falls-trail

Rock climbing near Upper Fish Creek Falls https://www.mountainproject.com/area/111326327/upper-fish-creek-falls

Ice Climbing Fish Creek Falls https://www.mountainproject.com/route/106690220/fish-creek-falls

Trip reports and media[edit]

This canyon has been done many times before 2022.

24Aug2022: added to ropewiki by Ira Lewis on a descent with Eva Vaitkus in low water

Background[edit]

Credits

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

In all habitats live animals and plants that deserve respect, please minimize impact on the environment and observe the local ethics. Canyoneering, Canyoning, Caving and other activities described in this site are inherently dangerous. Reliance on the information contained on this site is solely at your own risk. There is no warranty as to accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the information provided on this site. The site administrators and all the contributing authors expressly disclaim any and all liability for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by its actions, omissions, or negligence in procuring, compiling or providing information through this site, including without limitation, liability with respect to any use of the information contained herein. If you notice any omission or mistakes, please contribute your knowledge (more information).