The Northern California Hiking Area that Takes You To Not One But Four Waterfalls
Let’s face it, Northern California is an amazing place to view waterfalls. Especially this year, when the drought that has plagued us over the last 6 years finally ended in an incredible series of storms. In the next few months, Northern California’s lakes and rivers will be full, which means that our waterfalls are going to be downright spectacular.
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The hike to these four magnificent falls takes place in the Whiskeytown Recreation Area, which is managed by the National Parks Service.
Whiskeytown was once the site of a community. It was flooded when a dam was built in 1963 on clear creek. Boaters can sometimes see the outline of abandoned structures below the water's surface.
The fun loving National Parks Service staff have challenged hikers to complete their "Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge." People who reach all four waterfalls get a free "I Walked the Falls" bandanna while supplies last.
This challenge, to be completed during or before National Parks week on Saturday, April 15th and runs through Sunday, April 23rd should be a blast for everyone who loves waterfalls.
For over 40 years, the community surrounding Whiskeytown National Recreation Area kept this 220 foot cascade a secret from the rest of the world, but now the word is out. It is accessed via the James K. Carr trail, which is 3.4 miles round trip.
Thought to be the highest waterfall in the park until the secret about Whiskeytown Falls got out, this 138 foot cascade is pretty spectacular. It is accessed via a 2.75 mile trail off South Shore Drive.
The trail here is ADA accessible, and it's so fun and easy even that cute little baby who can't even walk yet made it! This cascade is also unique because it was man made and created during the engineering process as a spillway of sorts for when Whiskeytown Lake's powerhouse needs a break for maintenance. The trail is about 1/3 of a mile one way.
Brandy Creek Falls is actually a series of five large cascading falls that sweep down across polished granite rock. If you try to get this hike done by the April deadline, you will probably see the umbrella-leafed Indian rhubarb here. It is one of the first spring flowers to appear, displaying an array of brilliant pink blossoms. This hike is 3 miles round trip.
For more information on Whiskeytown National Recreation Area hiking and this challenge, take a look at the National Park Service’s information on the Waterfalls of Whiskeytown.
Jill is a freelance writer from a small Northern California town and lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you have an idea for an Only In Northern California story, email her at jsanford@onlyinyourstate.com.
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