Omayra Acevedo, Mineral County. In the San Juan mountains of Colorado, deep in the southern part of the Rockies, rests a 100-foot waterfall that cascades right into Falls Creek, which connects to the San Juan River. Legend has it that there is buried treasure, from the 1700s, somewhere nearby, that to this day has yet to be found. I first heard of Treasure Falls while planning my trip to Southern Colorado. Granted, I went during winter, so I wasn’t about to go on a search for a reward that may or may not be there. Nonetheless, I promise you that my eyes were still very much satisfied.

It was a frigid 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and I was as bundled up as one can get for an adventure through the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Luckily, the wind was calm. To my surprise, however, there were quite a bit of sightseers out and about. Thankfully, everyone kept their distance and wore their masks. After reaching the parking lot to the falls, I found myself sitting in my vehicle for a while. I sat, contemplating if even getting out of the truck was worth the cold, snow and ice. Once I set my gaze upon the 100-foot frozen waterfall, I knew I had made the right choice. It was majestic!

The first deck you approach, leads to the trail on the right. The second deck, properly named Misty Deck, is closer to the waterfall, allowing you, in the warmer months, to feel the spray of the falls. There is another option for a trail on the left, right off the parking lot. The trails can feel rather steep, depending on the challenges you face: snow, ice, mud, or unsuitable footwear. Either way, the trek is worth it. Just be careful and don’t forget your camera.

To get there, you head straight to Wolf Creek Pass, and just 15 miles from Pagosa Springs, you will see it on the east side of the road. You can view the falls from the parking lot, or enjoy them up close and personal after a short half-mile hike to its base. Along the way, hikers will learn the history of the area and the full story of one of Colorado’s highest waterfalls.

Hidden gold or not, these falls are proof that not all treasures are made of metal or require a hunt. 

For more information, including directions to get there, check out https://visitpagosasprings.com/pagosa-springs-waterfalls

(Originally published in the March 4, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)