This hike had been saved in my AllTrails for-literal-ever before we finally made the trek to see them last summer. And a trek it was! The road to the trailhead is no joke - don’t attempt to get there in a vehicle with low clearance. The braver you are (or perhaps the better driver you are) the closer you will make it to the trailhead. It’s also likely going to take you longer to drive than your driving map tells you so be sure to prepare for that and give yourself plenty of time. We made it about a quarter mile before the trailhead before we parked. 

Disclaimer aside, this was hands down my kids’ favorite hike last summer. The iron fens, which are formed when mineral-rich groundwater bubbles up from mountain springs, are almost other-worldly. Essentially, out of the forest, an array of colorful ledges and waterfalls appear cascading down a mountain side. I can’t say I’ve seen anything even close to this in Colorado. 

Because it was our first time visiting, we stared at it for a long time wondering if the water was hot or otherwise dangerous for the kids. Rest assured, the fens are safe to traverse but they can be slippery; the water is lukewarm to the touch which was wonderful on a cool Fall day.

We played on the fens for hours, exploring all the little caverns and falls. The kids did not want to leave and, honestly, I didn’t either!