In my spare time I like to browse google earth in search of new locations. As luck would have it I came across a hanging lake in the Eagles Nest Wilderness. It looks as if it's fed with a cascade of about 100' and appears to be a little smaller than the hanging lake in Glenwood Canyon. Feeding out of it is a cascade of about 200' It's about a mile above Slate lake. I'm looking for a little help in making a trek to this location, and was wondering if anyone is familiar with this area and knows of a trail up to Slate Lake. I've included the longitude and latitude of the location for others to research.
39°43'36" north
106°14'59" west
Posted by Brent Doerzman on October 27, 2013 at 12:30 PM
Michael, I haven't been up there myself, but should would love to! Someday....
Hi Mike, just save the time and don't even try locating any information on this fall on the internet. I guarantee you won't find much. I don't say that to be an ass, I say it because Ive spent years researching that area and have been there twice. Quite frankly, myself and Jodi Grigg are the only ones I know of that have been up in that drainage to the waterfall. So, in that regard, its funny you found one of only a few that have been in there here on a photography site.
That's the South Fork of the Slate Creek Drainage. The 6 mile backpack on trail to Slate Lake is the trivial and easy part. There is no trail from Slate Lake to the cascading falls...for good reason. Once around Slate Lake, there is a cliff ridden area that must be negotiated. It requires careful route finding to keep it at class 3. It is a nasty bushwhack, but nothing as nasty as the flat marshy basin above the lake. Once you attain the marshy basin above Slate Lake, careful routefinding is required to keep dry. There is one log crossing among the willow infested drainage that will escort you from one side of the drainage to the other to continue to the beginning of the falls, locating this log is imperative. It is hidden well, however you might be able to locate it on Google Earth. This portion of the hike is a very difficult bushwhack. I would bet it will be the most difficult bushwhack you have ever been subjected to... I suppose most people just give up here, especially if you don't have military grade 100% deet to protect you from the horseflys and ravenous mosquitoes. There's moose and bear (plenty of scat) in this drainage too, both are not used to seeing people.
The Falls itself is a huge combination of cascades and falls. I have only explored the lower cascades. Both times Ive hiked up pass the main, big drops you're looking at on Google Earth. I had other objectives.
It is my opinion that there are many amazing photo opportunities of this falls and quite possibly be the best falls in Colorado. I spent a few days putting together a trip for just the falls recently. I came up with a game plan of doing it in Fall, when the mosquitos are not going to suck my blood until I pass out in a muddy mess. I would also plan on at least two nights out there. This is a falls that I would want to shoot once and be done with it due to the logistics, and very remote surroundings.
A big part of getting to the Falls involves the long approach, which trailhead to go with? The most direct route into that area does not even come close to existing. I have researched all private property routes as well, these routes are shorter by up to 3 miles round trip, but in the end the off trail hiking was just too much on my body. So, I'm convinced the next time I go back it will be either the Brush Creek TH or the very unkown Harrigan Creek TH that begins off hwy 9 at Columbine Ranch. Brush Creek is less vertical and the same distance as Harrigan, however the road to Brush Creek is notorious for a steep dirt hill that is quite slippery after rain. A night stay at Slate Creek, then two nights in the falls area would be perfect.
Here are two images I whipped up a few moths ago of a few small sections of the lower cascdes. These are wide angle views and make everything appear to be small but I will tell you that there are likely many great close up photo opportunities just in these views. The bigger falls will require some sketchy scrambling to attain, let alone even more nasty bushwhacking.
Kane, Thank you for all the information on the location. I'm thinking I might make 2 trips next year. The first one in July as more of an exploratory trip and the second in September. I agree that it would be best to spend 2 or 3 days to really shoot this location. I'm thinking I'll hike in at night from the Brush Creek trailhead and try to time it so I hit Slate lake just before sunrise. I don't mind hiking at night as long as I have a trail to follow. I don't mind bushwhacking through down timber, but to me willow bushes are the absolute worst.
If you make the trip anytime soon I'd like to hear how it went for you. When my trip gets a little closer I may contact you about the route.
Posted by Kane Engelbert on October 27, 2013 at 11:24 PM
Mike, my recommendation is to pack to Slate Lake and camp that night. Almost 6 miles of backpacking might get your attention. The next 2-3 miles will take you 3-3.5 hrs with good routefinding. You will need every bit of energy to enjoy the hike from the lake to the falls. Keep mind that in July you will be swarmed every second by Mosquitos. I would recommend a mosquito net (and Deet) if you set up a tent in the shaded woods of the Falls.
Posted by Stan Rose on November 4, 2013 at 5:48 PM
Don't let Kane dissuade you--i routinely trail run up to those falls as a warmup for my real workout.
Discussion
6 replies39°43'36" north
106°14'59" west
Here's a trip report from the Slate Creek area that might get you started: Slate Creek Basin Trip Report
Also, an incredible place to look for Gore Range info, Summitpost.org
Good luck!
That's the South Fork of the Slate Creek Drainage. The 6 mile backpack on trail to Slate Lake is the trivial and easy part. There is no trail from Slate Lake to the cascading falls...for good reason. Once around Slate Lake, there is a cliff ridden area that must be negotiated. It requires careful route finding to keep it at class 3. It is a nasty bushwhack, but nothing as nasty as the flat marshy basin above the lake. Once you attain the marshy basin above Slate Lake, careful routefinding is required to keep dry. There is one log crossing among the willow infested drainage that will escort you from one side of the drainage to the other to continue to the beginning of the falls, locating this log is imperative. It is hidden well, however you might be able to locate it on Google Earth. This portion of the hike is a very difficult bushwhack. I would bet it will be the most difficult bushwhack you have ever been subjected to... I suppose most people just give up here, especially if you don't have military grade 100% deet to protect you from the horseflys and ravenous mosquitoes. There's moose and bear (plenty of scat) in this drainage too, both are not used to seeing people.
The Falls itself is a huge combination of cascades and falls. I have only explored the lower cascades. Both times Ive hiked up pass the main, big drops you're looking at on Google Earth. I had other objectives.
It is my opinion that there are many amazing photo opportunities of this falls and quite possibly be the best falls in Colorado. I spent a few days putting together a trip for just the falls recently. I came up with a game plan of doing it in Fall, when the mosquitos are not going to suck my blood until I pass out in a muddy mess. I would also plan on at least two nights out there. This is a falls that I would want to shoot once and be done with it due to the logistics, and very remote surroundings.
A big part of getting to the Falls involves the long approach, which trailhead to go with? The most direct route into that area does not even come close to existing. I have researched all private property routes as well, these routes are shorter by up to 3 miles round trip, but in the end the off trail hiking was just too much on my body. So, I'm convinced the next time I go back it will be either the Brush Creek TH or the very unkown Harrigan Creek TH that begins off hwy 9 at Columbine Ranch. Brush Creek is less vertical and the same distance as Harrigan, however the road to Brush Creek is notorious for a steep dirt hill that is quite slippery after rain. A night stay at Slate Creek, then two nights in the falls area would be perfect.
Here are two images I whipped up a few moths ago of a few small sections of the lower cascdes. These are wide angle views and make everything appear to be small but I will tell you that there are likely many great close up photo opportunities just in these views. The bigger falls will require some sketchy scrambling to attain, let alone even more nasty bushwhacking.
http://www.kaephotography.com/photo/cascade/
http://www.kaephotography.com/photo/test-2/
Lastly, If you need further route info, I would be happy to discuss on the phone only.
You got me thinking...right now would probably be great timing to shoot these falls...
If you make the trip anytime soon I'd like to hear how it went for you. When my trip gets a little closer I may contact you about the route.