fall/winter

Mertensia Falls

Of the 31 named waterfalls in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mertensia Falls is an easy contender for the most spectacular. This magnificent feature is seen from above as a silvery ribbon through the trees from the popular Thunder Lake Trial, but the falls erupt into a massive, noisy display of rushing water in a superb alpine setting when viewed at close range. The creek spills through a narrow, rocky gorge, then fans out into a marshy area that promotes a profusion of the wildflowers that give the falls their name. Because it is difficult to access, few people ever see the grandeur of Mertensia Falls' secret splendor. "Mertensia" pertains to a genus of herbs belonging to the family boraginaceae that have blue or purple flowers shaped like funnels. Blue chiming bells prosper in the lush wetlands created by the waterfall. They are common throughout the Park and can be identified by their drooping, tube-shaped flower petals.

From the Wild Basin Trailhead follow the Thunder Lake Trail for 5.6 miles to a point .6 mile east of Thunder Lake. Look for Mertensia Falls, below and southwest of the trail. Leave the trail and bushwhack south, dropping steeply through thick forest toward North St. Brain Creek. Find a way across the creek and bushwhack south below the steep cliffs of Tanima Peak's rocky east side. From here, hike southwest through lush, subalpine terrain and beautiful meadows to Mertensia Falls, just below the confluence of the two outlet streams flowing from Box and Eagle Lakes. In spring and early summer, the water rushes mightily through the rocky defile in an awesome exhibit of nature's power. Enjoy good views of Longs Peak and Mount Meeker framed by trees from the steep slope surrounding the falls.

Check back next week for another Hiking in Estes Park feature!

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