Welcome to Travel Tuesday! I think Zapata means “shoe” in Spanish, so this week, we’re headed to the Zapata Falls Trail (Shoe Falls?)!
Zapata Falls Trail in the Great Sand Dunes National Park
This trail is actually not really even IN the Great Sand Dunes National Park, so if you don’t have a park pass, you can still go!
…I would highly recommend two things though:
- Bug spray
- A very durable car with 4WD and high ground clearance
(I am forever blessed that the friend I made at the hostel back in Colorado Springs had such a rental car, because there is no way I could’ve subjected Cordelia to it–we wouldn’t have made it)
Distance: ~0.9 miles (out + back)
Elevation: 213 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Duration: <1 hr
Trailhead Address: South Zapata Trail, Zapata Falls Trail, Mosca, CO 81146
Parking: Free
There are benches along the way for if you need a break or want some time to just sit and enjoy the views.
There is a 30 foot waterfall formed by South Zapata Creek. We went in the summer so it was nice and cool, but I hear the waterfall freezes in the winter and ends up looking like a huge ice sculpture!
- What hike have you been on that caused you to be eaten alive by mosquitoes?
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Another fabulous looking place to add to the list when we are free!
Deborah Brooks recently posted…Crunchy Black Bean Breakfast Taquitos
Agreed! :P
This looks like such a beautiful place to visit. I will add it to my bucket list of places to travel to!!
It was super pretty! I should’ve used bug spray though, hahaha.
This is fantastic information! I would absolutely LOVE to hike this park and appreciate you sharing your experience and expert advice!
Aww, thank you! :] I hope you get to go there sometime!
Colorado has SO MANY great hiking spots. One of my favorites is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park – what is interesting is that there are also fabulous hikes across the canyon not in the park as well! With great views of that park! Colorado is truly gorgeous!
It does, doesn’t it? My post next week will be on Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park! :P I went there for the first time last summer–Colorado is such a beautiful state!
This place looks beautiful! Sounds like a great hike, thanks for sharing.
It was a fun little hike! :] Thanks for stopping by!
Farrah recently posted…Zapata Falls Trail
I have not traveled much in the states, but I’m always up for new hiking opportunities. Thanks for sharing :)
Thanks for stopping by! :] I hope you get to visit sometime!!
Love all the info and trail guides.
Thank you! :]
I do love waterfalls in winter when they turn into a giant sculpture of ice! Was the water still pretty chilly in the summertime?
Josy A recently posted…Burnaby Mountain Loop – Local Adventures
Ooo, I’ve yet to see that (sadly), but would love to someday! I was supposed to go ice climbing last year, but the weather got too good (warm) and it got called off! :[