Cascade Falls and Big Pool

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The photogenic Cascade Falls are 3.4 miles into the North Inlet Trail. This easy out-and-back passes through an open meadow where marmots are often found and by a river that winds through a lodgepole pine forest. Fishing is good for small brook trout and an occasional brown trout.

Starting at the North Inlet Trail, head east on the North Inlet Trail as it follows a wide valley and enjoy the views of the marshlands. Soon after starting out, the trail enters a narrower, more rugged landscape. The lower reaches of this trail are very well traveled and meander along a fairly low grade along the creekside.

After just over three miles, you'll arrive at the beautiful Cascade Falls. These falls are about 100 feet long as the North Inlet Creek descends over jagged granite. After viewing the falls, continue eastward on the North Inlet Trail toward Big Pool Campground.

The campground was named after this natural feature that occurs along North Inlet just past a small waterfall. The pool is bound on one side by steep, 10-15 foot cliffs and more gradual sloping granite on the other.

This is the turn around point for this route. Enjoy the varying terrain as you descend back towards Grand Lake on North Inlet Trail and keep your eyes peeled for marmots, moose and other critters.

RMNP is a massive park that is mostly characterized by a montane ecosystem. Here are some of the flora and fauna that you may encounter along this trail:

Flora: Ponderosa pine, douglas fir, wildflowers, shrubs
Fauna: Elk, mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep, coyotes, black bears, cougars, butterflies.

For more detailed information regarding the park's diverse ecosystems, click HERE.