Hike Profiles for Rocky Mountain National Park and Surrounding Areas

Adams Falls

This popular short walk begins just east of Grand Lake, and leads to an overlook of Adams Falls.
Distance: 0.3 miles one-way

Waterfall elevation: 8,470 feet

Trailhead elevation: 8,391 feet

Net elevation gain: 79 feet

East Inlet Trailhead

Rocky Mountain National Park
Adams Falls, East Inlet Creek
The red star in the map above shows the relative location of Adams Falls to RMNP boundaries (in green) and major roads (in gold)
Major Trail Landmarks
Adams Falls loop trail (0.3 miles one-way from trailhead)
Principal Destinations Near Adams Falls
Lone Pine Lake (5.3 miles one-way from trailhead) - via East Inlet Trail
Lake Verna (6.9 miles one-way from trailhead) - via East Inlet Trail
Backcountry Campsites Near Adams Falls
East Meadow [PDF Link] - (1.5 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 8,550' - 2 individual sites
Lower East Inlet [PDF Link] - (2.3 miles one-way from trailhead) - elevation 8,640' - 2 individual sites
The East Inlet Trailhead is on the west side of the Continental Divide on the east side of the town of Grand
Lake. Follow Highway 34 (Trail Ridge Road) to the turnoff for Grand Lake on Highway 278. Turn east
toward Grand Lake, then bypass the main road through Grand Lake, following West Portal Road and signs
toward the boat launch area. Continue to the trailhead, about 2.7 miles from U.S. 34,
and along the eastern shore of Grand Lake, opposite the boat launch.

From the trailhead, hike the East Inlet Trail to the junction with the Adams Falls loop trail. Take the loop
trail to the right (south) and walk a short distance to the overlook of the falls.
Sample photographs of the hike to Adams Falls
East Inlet Trail near the trailhead
Adams Falls
Trailside wildflowers
Loop trail above the falls
Adams Falls topographic map
Principal summer trail marked by solid red line; unmaintained trail/route marked by dashed red line.
Map is oriented with north to the top of the map

USGS Quad Map: Shadow Mountain - Latitude: 40.237 deg. N, Longitude 105.796 deg. W
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All photographs are property of Mike Amfahr and are protected by copyright laws.
Topographic map is property of and copyrighted by Maps a la carte, Inc., and is used on this site with permission.