Sunday, January 11, 2026

Alluvial Fan and Horseshoe Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park



Today was the first anniversary of my husband coming home from the hospital after undergoing open-heart bypass surgery.  Thankfully, he recovered quickly and has remained in good health. When I went through my Google Photos this morning to post a photo of him, I realized I never edited an entire album of photos I took from a trip we took to Rocky Mountain National Park in early September--see that post here, where I shared the beautiful autumn views in the park.  We spent three days driving and hiking around the park on that trip, and I now want to show an area that we hiked for the first time, called the Alluvial Fan and Horseshow Falls.

Please click on the photo collage to enlarge it for easier viewing.

Information from the RMNP web site: 

"Located off the road to Endovalley, the Alluvial Fan is a beautiful cascade of water flowing down through a boulder field. Reconstructed in 2020, the trail to the Alluvial Fan was designed to be fully accessible. From the west, this path meanders up to a 56-foot bridge crossing the Roaring River, offering access to the east side of the Alluvial Fan. Hikers of all abilities can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mummy Range, Horseshoe Falls, and Endovalley."

There is a lot of information about the definition of an Alluvial Fan on this National Geographic website. 

 


Please click on the photo to enlarge it to read the information.

The Alluvial Fan in Rocky Mountain National Park was created on July 15, 1982, when the earthen Lawn Lake Dam above the area gave way, flooding the Park and the nearby town of Estes Park with more than 200 million gallons of water. Enormous boulders were displaced, and trees and earth were ripped from the ground. Researchers are studying the success and composition of species in this area of the park as life returns to the previously barren land.
The remaining rock sediments and the boulder field are examples of the devastating event. Now, the Roaring River cascades over the boulder fields, creating Horseshoe Falls.



The Alluvial Fan trail bridge crosses over a portion of the boulder field.



A short video view of the Roaring River from the bridge.



The trail continues 0.3 miles with about a 250-foot elevation gain.


As it was fall when I took these photos, the river flow was milder than I'm sure it is in spring when there is significant snowmelt from the surrounding mountains!


We hiked up towards the Alluvial Fan summit at 8,900 feet (2712.72 meters) to see Horseshoe Falls. 


Horseshoe Falls



A short video clip above, so that you can hear the waterfall flow.

Although this is a popular and easy hike, it was a quiet and peaceful place on our visit as we did the hike very early in the morning.


Soon, the rising sun began to light up the falls, and we decided to continue on our way around the park.


We took an opposite path on the way down and saw a large boulder field and a debris pile, which were a reminder of the powerful force of water.


We saw a tour bus parked at the trailhead parking lot when we returned to our car. 


When I opened my car door, a branch from a nearby aspen tree fell on my seat!


I left this little gift of nature on our car's front windshield for the rest of the trip!


Rocky Mountain National Park is so beautiful!

 We are grateful to be able to visit it often, and in all seasons.

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