Maxwell Falls - Third Time’s the Charm?

Maxwell Falls is a popular destination, and for good reason - it’s close to Denver and offers some beautiful scenery. Spring and early summer are definitely the best times to enjoy waterfalls, but after a few recent rains, I hoped early August might still be a good bet. This was my third visit (click here to see the first one - Maxwell Falls hike on Saturday), but this time I started from the Conifer trailhead.

 

It was early morning, and everything looked a bit faded and dim - just what I needed after several exhausting, sunny days. I followed the slow-moving stream as the trail gently descended alongside Maxwell Creek.

This time of year, the creek isn’t particularly impressive. But there are plenty of little cascades where water drops over the rocks, creating a string of miniature waterfalls, and that’s exactly what I was after.

At times, the stream shrank to a trickle and nearly disappeared. Note to self: plan a return trip in the spring, when the water runs stronger and wilder.

Eventually, I reached something that looked more like a true waterfall. Tucked in deep shadow and surrounded by tall trees, it was a quiet spot, hidden away.

As I made my way along the creek, I came across a small meadow filled with daisies. I snapped a few photos and made a mental note to stop by again on the way back.

It turns out the falls are much closer when you start from the upper trailhead. Soon I was looking at the final cascades just before the water makes its main drop. I crossed the creek and took the trail on the right side, knowing from experience that it leads to a better spot below the falls.

Once I was down there, I realized how little water was flowing in August - it was more of a trickle than a proper waterfall. Still, another reason to come back in spring ;)

But even without the dramatic splash, the views from below were amazing. The creek’s banks are lined with towering trees, and this is one of the few spots where you get a glimpse of the wider surroundings.

I wasn’t alone either. A curious chipmunk darted toward me, paused for a quick glance, then disappeared - clearly on a mission of its own.

I continued hiking downstream. The tall pines kept the trail shaded and cool, at least 20 degrees cooler than out in the open. That’s one of the things that makes this hike such a great summer escape.

I found another small cascade and paused again to listen to the gentle splashing of water falling onto the rocks below.

I also spotted a patch of sunlight casting shapes on the rocks that looked almost like petroglyphs - another small, magical moment.

Eventually, the path along the creek became too overgrown and steep, so I climbed up to rejoin the main trail like everyone else. Even though it was sunnier now, the trail still offered enough shade to stay comfortable.

Knowing the area from past visits (click here for another one - Light morning hike), I took a shortcut. In hindsight, I’m not sure it was worth it, the slope was steep and hard to walk. But the reward? Wild berries! Worth the climb, I’d say.

Back on the trail, I made my way toward the falls again. 

At one point I got a little bored with the main path and wandered off into the woods. There, hiking through the thick forest, I found all kinds of small treasures - mushrooms, flowers, and even more berries.

I took a wide berth and headed back toward the meadow of daisies and stumbled upon what I called the “squirrel restaurant” - a large fallen tree trunk littered with pine cone leftovers. Clearly a popular dining spot.

  

I stopped by the daisies as planned, then made my way to the trailhead.

Almost back at the car, I heard a rustle and turned to see a huge moose enjoying lunch. 

Yep, a moose, right between two trails, no more than 50 feet from each. A few hikers stopped to take photos, while the moose completely ignored us and kept munching on aspen leaves and grass.

Well... it was a nice encounter just at the end of the hike. 

I crossed the creek at the same place where I started a few hours earlier, though now it looked brighter and somehow more familiar. It turned that I reached the car just in time. As I loaded my gear into the trunk, rain began to fall. Minutes later, it turned into a full downpour. But I didn't care and was already on my way back home...

It wasn't a difficult hike. Just 3.5 miles with moderate 1000 feet of elevation gain. It took about 4 hours, but mostly because I was taking a lot of pictures and taking my time along the creek. Starting from the upper trailhead definitely made it easier… but next time? Maybe I’ll try the lower one again. We’ll see...

Photos taken on August 02, 2025.