Upper Cascade Falls #213

The Upper Cascade Falls Trail #213 begins at the Amphitheater Campground and ends at the Chief Ouray Mine. This trail is part of an inter-connecting trail system with the Portland Trail #238 in the basin below the amphitheater rock formation surrounding the eastern side of the city of Ouray. The trail ascends through scrub oak and conifers to a junction at approximately 0.2 miles with the Portland Trail. Continue to the left toward the Chief Ouray Mine where at approximately 0.5 miles the trail again intersects the Portland Trail. Stay to the left and follow the signs toward the mine. The grade steepens and switchbacks uphill, gaining over 1,100 feet in just under a mile. There are spectacular views of the Amphitheater, Hayden Mountain, raising to 13,139 feet, and Potosi Peak raising to 13,786 feet, in the west and southwest. After the switchbacks, the trail traverses a rock ledge and crosses a ridge. The view from here are great of the Twin Peaks and the Sneffels range to the west, and the city of Ouray. The trail continues across the ridge and descends through trees for approximately 0.3 miles to a creek crossing at the Upper Cascade Falls.  The Lower Cascade Falls can be heard below the trail. The Chief Ouray Mine is another 0.2 miles from the falls.