To get to St Mary's Falls, drive to Helen Hunt Falls and it's a large parking lot up past it. Our GPS said it was going to take almost 2 hours and that was WAY WRONG. It should take about 30 minutes depending on where you are coming from in the Springs.
Moderate and at times difficult hike but so worth it! My parents, in their 50s and 60s, who weren't used to the altitude and one who didn't hike much, handled it like champs. We stopped a lot and took our time, it took us 3.5 hours to get up and 1.5 hours to get down. We had our 10 month old in a carrier and I had a huge hiking backpack for snacks and water. Bring lots of water!! Sometimes the trail split and we usually went right or up hill to continue. The last sign saying .2 miles is a little further and you go up the hill (not directly by the falls). The sign is a little confusing and it seems like you go in the wrong direction, but it's correct. It get's more difficult the second half with switchbacks. We kept thinking we heard the falls, but it was further than we thought, but so worth the feeling when you finally get there! It's still frozen over mostly (4/19/18). When you get to it, there are rock steps that lead to a platform with some log benches you can sit on and enjoy the view and the falls. Watch out for the giant red ants on the platform! We had a wonderful time enjoying the wooded forests and spectacular views. Highly recommend!
All USA
To get to St Mary's Falls, drive to Helen Hunt Falls and it's a large parking lot up past it. Our GPS said it was going to take almost 2 hours and that was WAY WRONG. It should take about 30 minutes depending on where you are coming from in the Springs. Moderate and at times difficult hike but so worth it! My parents, in their 50s and 60s, who weren't used to the altitude and one who didn't hike much, handled it like champs. We stopped a lot and took our time, it took us 3.5 hours to get up and 1.5 hours to get down. We had our 10 month old in a carrier and I had a huge hiking backpack for snacks and water. Bring lots of water!! Sometimes the trail split and we usually went right or up hill to continue. The last sign saying .2 miles is a little further and you go up the hill (not directly by the falls). The sign is a little confusing and it seems like you go in the wrong direction, but it's correct. It get's more difficult the second half with switchbacks. We kept thinking we heard the falls, but it was further than we thought, but so worth the feeling when you finally get there! It's still frozen over mostly (4/19/18). When you get to it, there are rock steps that lead to a platform with some log benches you can sit on and enjoy the view and the falls. Watch out for the giant red ants on the platform! We had a wonderful time enjoying the wooded forests and spectacular views. Highly recommend!