Piedra Falls is an 80-foot tiered waterfall on the East Fork Piedra River in San Juan National Forest, Mineral County, Colorado, about 15.5 miles north of Pagosa Springs. A short, easy trail follows the river to the falls, which pour into a boulder-choked canyon.
The falls
The falls drop in two tiered horsetails. Lidar data indicates a total drop of about 80 feet, with the taller step about 45 feet. Below the falls, the river runs through a V-shaped canyon lined with large boulders.
Getting there
The falls are reached by Piedra Falls Trail No. 671 from the end of East Toner Road. The drive follows Piedra Road north for 17.8 miles to the Sportsman's Campground junction, 2 miles on Middle Fork Road, then 7.5 miles on East Toner Road to the parking area. East Toner Road is not advised in wet weather.
The trail is 0.5 mile each way, about 15 minutes, with an easy grade and about 100 feet of climb. The trailhead has a toilet but no drinking water.
When to go
The trailhead season runs from May to November. Snowpack covers the area from December to April, with frozen spray around the falls in winter.
On site
Spray makes the rocks at the falls slippery. My Pagosa Springs reports that visitors swim and jump from the rocks into the pool below, and describes the trail as dog-friendly.
Nearby
Lean Creek Falls is about 3.5 miles away, and Falls Creek Falls and Fourmile Creek Falls are each about 4.1 miles.
Distances are straight-line.