Cooper
Falls (Upper
and Lower)
Upper Cooper Falls is a spring fed “twin” falls
with a beautiful reflection pool at their feet. It is about 25 feet high.
Lower Cooper Falls is a 30’ high perennial
“free-fall” that lands in the Chama River.
the real waterfall cowboy whips out his handy
dandy umbrella while canoeing on the Chama River under Lower Cooper Falls …mark blakemore photos
beta facts:
name- Cooper Falls …both an upper and a
lower.
height- upper is 25’ and the lower is about
30’
elevation- 6800’
GPS coordinates- ±36°35.305N 106°43.750’W
flow- spring fed… probably enhanced when El
Vado Reservoir is full.
season- anytime but late May or early June
is best.
accommodations- El Vado Ranch has… cabins
and camping… a small store and parking.
ownership- Cooper Falls are on public land
owned by the state of New Mexico
access- ½ mile hike north from El Vado
Ranch
nearest town- Tierra Amarilla is 15 miles
east of here.
fun fact- this is a very pleasant and
secluded hike.
essay bro:
We enjoy staying at my old friend Dave
Cooper’s Guest Ranch. It’s called
El Vado Ranch. Three or maybe even
four generations of Coopers have called this beautiful place home. Cooper Arroyo and Cooper Falls are
named after Dave’s dad Carl Cooper.
My favorite way to hike into the waterfalls is to cross Dave’s
footbridge and head upstream. If
the Chama River is too high to walk on the riverbank then stay on higher ground
up against the sheer cliff above you.
These falls can also be reached from the
north side, which is all State Parks - public land. See the map below.
Enhanced
National Geographic 7.5’ topo map
one
mile = approximately 3 inches
Send questions and
comments to doug.vivian@yahoo.com