At a Glance
- Connects To: Lower Cascade Falls trail
- Views: Back toward Ouray valley
- Traffic: Light beyond lower falls
- Difficulty: Moderate — steeper than lower
- Season: May – October
- Access: Continue from lower falls trailhead
Beyond the Tourist Destination
Most visitors to the Cascade Falls area stop at the lower falls viewpoint and turn around. Continuing up the trail above the lower falls accesses quieter terrain with progressively better views back toward Ouray and the valley. The upper sections are more demanding and see fewer people — a meaningful difference in trail atmosphere.
The upper falls — when running at full volume in spring — is a different experience from the lower falls: less enclosed, more openly visible, and with the additional context of height gained since the trailhead. In a dry year, it may be reduced significantly; in May or June, it's impressive.