Casa
Falls
&
Casa
Creek Cascades
These first two falls are well known as Casa Falls but up
stream from here are many, many more and higher “Casa Falls”.
Upper Casa Creek is an
extremely high concentration of waterfalls. It drops 1500’ in about a mile.
This
is the well known Casa Falls 35’ high
…a 25 - footer on North Casa Creek
The rest of these falls are very difficult
to get to and there are way more falls here than I have photos of.
...and these will appear starting upstream
and heading downstream.
...a 45 footer...
...a 25 footer...
...a 50’ high cascade...
I couldn’t budge these huge logs but I wish
I could’ve cleaned them out of this beautiful 50’ tiered waterfall
...a 35’ tier and a 20’ tier...
This photo shows only part of one tiered
cataract that falls about 100’.
This steep rugged canyon greatly hampers photography.
beta facts:
name- Casa Falls
height- 1500’ of waterfall after
waterfall... one tiered waterfall is about 100’ high.
elevation- 9500 to 11000 feet
GPS coordinates- ±36°00.812’N 105°28.903’W (very approximate
because there are many falls here.)
flow- a fine perennial trout stream
season- May thru Oct… earlier is best flow…
but you may have snow
accommodations- none – Pecos Wilderness
ownership- public – Carson National Forest
access- 4WD roads and short trails to the
first two falls... after that is class 3 and 4 bushwhack scramble...!!!
nearest town- Mora is about 15 miles east
of here
fun fact- you will see no road signs
telling where you are or where you’re driving... I’m told the locals use these
for firewood
essay bro:
Upper Rio la Casa, sometimes called North
Fork Casa Creek, has as many waterfalls as can be found on most any creek in
New Mexico. Falls of all shapes,
kinds and sizes line up single file for more than a mile. Sparkling cascades, natural
waterslides, plunges and cataracts carve their way thru solid granite down
stream from North Fork Lake.
Ferns, greenery and moss fill this wet wonderland.
Four miles north of Mora on NM hwy 518 you
will find the little town of Cleveland, NM. Turn west here on county road B-028 for 5 miles and follow
forest road # 113 to Walker Flats.
This is where the going will get sketchy as I’m told that the locals in
this area use forest road signs for firewood… so, you will likely have to go by
feel from here. But the good thing
is that you are close, very close.
Casa Falls are about one mile straight west of Walker Flats… AND looking
west you will see the canyon that you’re looking for. Walker Flats is on this topo map below. Try mixing a little luck with a little
español also a National Forest Map as well as a copy of my map below, to find a
place to park and begin your hike.
The four-wheel-drive road that takes you into
the lower two Casa Falls is not a bad choice ...but the class 3 and 4 bushwhack
scramble up to see the many falls above... is quite difficult. I prefer to hike up the trail and cut
over to descend this steep canyon instead of ascending it.
Enhanced topo map NORTH IS UP
Send questions and comments to dscott@themarblesculptor.com