Silver Falls (Pagosa Springs)

Also known as: Waterfall Creek (Pagosa Springs).

Rating:

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Difficulty:‌3C1 I (v4a3 I)

Swift water

Raps:‌3, max ↨165ft

Metric

Overall:	1h	⟷0.8mi
Approach:	25min		↑580ft
Descent:	30min	⟷528ft	↑180ft
Exit:	10min		↓305ft

Red Tape:‌No permit required

Shuttle:‌None

Vehicle:High Clearance

Rock type:Conglomerate

Location:

37.4223, -106.7828

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Condition Reports:

7 Jul 2024

"1.5 hrs car to car. We hiked up on the right side of the falls and downclimbed up stream to access the creek.. We replaced the 5/8 webbing with on

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Weather:

Weather forecast

Waterflow

Best season:

Jun-Oct

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

Regions:

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

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Introduction[edit]

Silver Falls is 10min from the parking lot down the East Fork of the San Juan north of Pagosa Springs. It's a single big drop waterfall with a few short warm ups upstream.

Approach[edit]

Road 667 is "high clearance recommended" but can be passed to the start of the Silver Falls hike in good conditions using a passenger vehicle.

In spring, the road will likely have muddy sections and multiple shallow creek crossings that may warrant 4x4.

Park at the Silver Falls sign (a vertical 3" wide brown national forest service plastic post with stickers for letters. Hike through the cattle guard directly to the North or past the outhouse next to the locked cabin and outhouse just a hundred yards to the West, then 10min up to the falls.

Once at the base of the falls, hike Rappeller's Right up the established use trails to gain an overlook over the top of the falls.

Either shortcut directly to rappel the big drop by rigging a releasable off a tree by the overlook to drop to the creek, or follow game trails upstream a few more minutes to add two more short drops in the creek.

Descent[edit]

R1: 20' with releasable off tree CR, possible downclimb
R2: 20' off tree CL, possible downclimb

R3: Anchor off the large tree RDC shared as an ice climbing anchor
R3: Beware not to kick rocks on hikers below
R3

R3: 165' rope will reach the base of the falls on Rappeller's Right
Silver Falls

Exit[edit]

Hike 10min back to your car.

Red tape[edit]

Note that Silver Falls is on National Forest Land, but that all other land in this vicinity is Private Ranch land after the convenient roadside camping spots marked on the map.

Beta sites[edit]

Canyoning in the Colorado San Juan Mountains Book by Ira Lewis

Trip reports and media[edit]

Background[edit]

First known summer descent and photos by Ira Lewis and Lisa Purdy

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).