Earlier this summer we hiked Ouzel Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park. We got up early and took our time enjoying our coffee and eating breakfast. I regret that. We got to the Wild Basin Trailhead at 9am and we had to park 1 mile away because the main parking lot was already full. The first few (or 6) months we lived out here we didn't realize you had to actually wake up early to go to the mountains. Sleeping in used to be 11am, now it is 8am! If you are heading to the mountains, you should be out of Denver by 7:30 (at the latest) to beat the traffic!
Once you pass the Wild Basin Ranger Station ($20 fee to enter the National Park, $40 for an annual pass), there are a few parking lots along the dirt road to the trail head. There are bathrooms and a water fountain. The trail starts and less than 10 minutes in is the first sight of the river/waterfalls. It's beautiful and refreshing; great way to start the morning.
The trail weaved around the river and stopped along smaller falls along the way.
Finally we reached the top and it was beautiful. Perfect place to eat our PB&J's that we packed. It felt good to get a little wet from the water splashing and sit in the shade for a bit.
The hike is 2.7 miles one way, but since we parked in the lot further away, it was more like 3.7 miles one way (although the first mile was flat).
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