#zapatafalls #alamosa #waterfalls

* Zapata Falls Colorado Hike
* Zapata Falls Near Alamosa, CO
* Waterfall Hikes in the San Luis Valley

Today, I’m in southern Colorado at the Zapata Falls Trailhead. This 1/2-mile hike leads to a beautiful 30-foot waterfall known as Zapata Falls.

First, I wanted to quickly give you a bit of information about this area. The drive to the trailhead is 3.5 miles. It’s quite steep, but it is a paved road. Right by the trailhead, is Zapata Falls Campground, which has 23 campsites. Not only that, but the entrance to Great Sand Dunes National Park is just 3 miles away. Also, if you want to do a longer hike, you can simply follow the South Zapata Lake Trail.

Parking is limited so you will want to avoid weekends if possible.

If you have them, you’ll also want to bring some water shoes. This waterfall is fed from snowmelt and will be very cold. It actually freezes in the winter, creating a huge column of ice.

Over thousands of years, this mountain stream has carved a deep vertical gorge, creating a rocky crevasse, which feels a lot like being in a cave.

The cave-like structure and mist from the waterfall provides some welcome relief from the summer heat.

Also, the hike back down has great views of both the San Luis Valley & Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Zapata Falls Trail
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Total Distance: 0.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 213 feet (9,000 to 9,200 ft)

Try this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Mosca, Colorado. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 28 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are April through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

The falls were formed when South Zapata Creek wore a groove in the crystalline rocks of the Sangre de Cristos, allowing its water to spill onto the soft alluvial soils below. Over millennia, the creek has carved a dim, deep and narrow chasm through which water tumbles some 30 feet. In the summer, the falls offer a cool respite; winter temperatures turn them into a giant ice sculpture.

Zapata Falls Campground
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South Zapata Lake Trail
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Total Distance: 9.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 3,208 feet

Camera used: GoPro 7 Silver

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ABOUT ME:
► I grew up in Kalamazoo, MI and graduated with a Marketing degree from Oakland University.
► I moved to Longmont, CO in November 2016 and fell in love with all the beautiful hiking trails that Colorado has to offer. So, in April 2012, the Nash Potatoes Outdoor Show was born.
► In November 2019, I took a 4-month camping trip in my pop-up camper. This gave me an opportunity to travel, explore, unwind, and create lots of great videos.
► In December 2020, I began recording a series of downhill skiing videos in Colorado. These quickly became popular and my passion for YouTube was re-ignited!
► I actually had so many great memories of my first camping trip that I decided to do another one. So, in April 2021, I converted a 12-foot enclosed trailer into a camper and documented the whole process.
► In June 2021, I reached 1,000 subscribers and was able to monetize my channel.
► By January 2023, I was already at 2,000 subscribers and counting!
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