alluvial fan

Wow, what a change can happen after the flood of 2013. Have been coming here for 27 years and this was unbelievable, but beautiful. Bridges are gone. New road in spots. River rerouted. This fan was formed in 1982 by a flood & now the regrowth will begin again. This is a must see area. The west side is now open. Last year the road was still gone.

My husband and I have visited the Alluvial Fan every year since we started coming to the park and it never fails to impress. It's such a peaceful place and yet, so loud at the same time. It's always remarkable to see tiny people climbing over the car-sized boulders to get a better, higher view and it's really an easy hike to witness the power of nature up-close and personally. We were a little worried about how close we would even be able to get due to some terrible flooding last year but it was only a short walk from the parking area to the fan. It was always remarkable to see how the Lawn Lake dam break changed the landscape and it's still amazing to see how the flooding changed it even further. Definitely worth a short stop and a small hike! Go at sunset for beautiful views of Endo Valley and a few less people.

This fan has been built by a flood long ago from a dam breach up at Lawn Lake and more recently by the floods of 2013. It's almost like looking at a moonscape. It's amazing to look at the size of some of the rocks and simply the sheer mass of silt and dirt and realize it's all been carried into place by water.

My Wife and I got Married at the Alluvial Fan October 2012 it has changed due to the floods in 2013 but still well worth the short hike

Never knew rocks could be this large ----- gorgeous area, but the power of nature is really seen. Don't need a lot of time to see all this, but worth the time as every other area of RMNP.

this was our one detour from Trail Ridge Road. Our time in RMNP was very short, but this was totally worth seeing. Beautiful and different and what a story about it's creation. Kids will like seeing this.

Alluvial Fan barely exist anymore! Alluvial Fan parking is GONE! We parked where the sign CLOSED asphalt road. Got off our car & followed the road... that don't exist! You can hear rushing water as you approached the damage Alluvial Fan parking. The 2013 Colorado flood extensively damage this area where Alluvial Fan Falls supposed to be. We crossed the almost like a river through a log and big rocks and we went to Old Fall River Road and Endovalley Picnic Area.The month of May is the best to visit this area. Wildflowers, birds and cactus are blooming! Snowed mountain caps are beautiful! The asphalted road is all yours. Endovalley Picnic area is damaged as well, some picnic tables are still there. We saw a wild turkey roaming around. Old Fall River Road is closed too! The trail to Chasm Falls is closed as well. We didn't go any further beyond the signs. Turn around and made our way up to where the Alluvial Fan Falls was. We have to scramble and hopped on rocks and sand. I'm always happy to see a waterfall but this time I feel SAD! The extensive damage....Yes, mother nature reclaiming what's hers!

The alluvial fan is located in the northern part of the Rocky Mountain National Park, on the Fall River Road which has been closed for some time. The fan was caused by debris washed down from the mountains. It is fun to scramble across the boulders and get a feel for the power of Nature to move incredible amounts of rock from one place to another. Kids will love this adventure.

Just a few hundred feet from the parking lot you'll find the road washed out and you will find a sea of large boulders filling the river valley. Though the small river still rushes by, it's hard to imagine the raging torrents which tossed these boulders down the mountain side leaving a path of destruction in it's wake. Take some time to walk along the river and scramble over some of the boulders. We found the old sign for the alluvial fan, on the other side of the river, to be almost buried, just protruding above this new layer of rock. On your way to and from the parking lot look out into the valley and bring binoculars and a camera. We were fortunate to witness several large herds of elk and upon exiting the parking lot we encountered a large bull elk-six points less than 50 feet from the road.Though we only stopped here for about 30 minutes we found it rewarding and hope think that you will too. Enjoy!Jim g

This is one of the places we visit each year when we're in RMNP. Before last fall's floods, we'd have a great time wading in the water, climbing on the rocks and boulders, and making our way to the top of the easily accessible falls. When we first saw the AV last Thanksgiving after the floods, it was sad to see the change - the river has moved, the Fall River Road is cut in half, rocks that we previously climbed on are buried, etc. However, we visited again this summer and had a great time doing all the things we used to - it just looks a little different. I'm anxious to see Fall River Road repaired and to see what they do with development of the area at AV (i.e., add bridges, rebuild trails, etc.) This is still a great place to spend an afternoon when visiting RMNP.

The Lawn Lake Flood in 1983, created the Alluvial Fan. The road was rebuilt and parking added. The river's course was changed by 2013's flood. Much of the road to this place had been destroyed. It will be closed for August, 2014, as repairs are begun.

It was amazing to compare the alluvial fan we bouldered last year to this year. The bridge is gone (actually it is underwater). The sidewalk is partially missing. Gravel is everywhere. It shows how powerful nature is!

Water is easily accessible from this place and has very nice picture spots.The restroom next to this spot was the cleanest in RMNP.

Amazing to see how destructive water can be. For a good workout, climb the outer edge of the water falls as far as you want. Great photo ops!!

If you want to see Mother nature at her best this is a must see when you visit the park. Depending on the weather be prepared to find it difficult to get to. Sometimes the parking lot can be inaccessible so check with a Ranger for information before you go.