Cozy up in McCloud and you can take day trips to eight incredible waterfalls and hiking trails.
Spring brings stunning waterfalls to Northern California’s mountains and valleys, especially in the Shasta-Cascade range, where cascades of water tumble down rocky outcroppings, much to the delight of hikers and shutterbugs alike. Here are some of the mos
McCloud Falls
Head east from McCloud along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway — or Highway 89, if you want to be less poetic — and you’ll soon reach the McCloud River and its three distinct waterfalls, appropriately named Upper, Middle and Lower.
At Upper Falls, the powerful McCloud River carves a deep chasm through basaltic lava flow, heading down the canyon to the picturesque Middle Falls, fully 100 feet across and 50 feet high at this point. Further along at Lower Falls, the river crashes into a big pool and cuts through exposed bedrock on its way to Shasta Lake. The swimming hole at the base of the falls is a popular spot for summer fun. You can catch some sun on the hard rock and picnic the day away.
To get there, take the Fowler Public Camp Road turnoff, which leads to the parking lots for Upper and Lower falls and the various lookouts. Drive to the lookouts or hike the 4-mile trail that runs high above the rushing water.
Burney Falls
Another 41 miles along Highway 89 eastbound brings you to a true bucketlister, the spectacular Burney Falls, headliner of the McArthur-Burney Memorial Falls State Park. This 129-foot gem, dubbed the “eighth wonder of the world” by Theodore Roosevelt, is incredibly beautiful. Not only does springfed Burney Creek tumble off the basalt cliffs, splitting into two major sections as it drops, but water from an underground aquifer and springs gush from holes in the cliff, contributing dozens of smaller falls to the beautiful waterscape. And the flow remains exuberant throughout the year.
Take the Falls Loop Trail down to the bottom of the falls for great views. Storm damage has limited access to the full loop, but there are 5 miles of trails within the park to satisfy your hiking urges, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Try to visit on a weekday or early on weekends to avoid the crowds. In addition
to the beautiful waterfalls, you’ll find amenities including a campground and cabins, a general store, picnic grounds and a beach on Lake Britton. Check out trail information at www. parks.ca.gov.
Hedge Creek Falls
Head in the opposite direction, 16 miles west of McCloud, and you’ll come to the picturesque town of Dunsmuir on the Sacramento River and just off Highway 5. There are two waterfalls of note here and the first, Hedge Creek Falls, is but a few minutes walk from the visitors parking lot on Mott Road and Siskiyou Avenue. Walk down the path to the pretty 30foot spring-fed fall that jumps from a lava rock cliff, rather like a mini-version of Yosemite’s famed Bridalveil Fall. You can even venture behind the flow into a small cave.
Continue down the trail and you’ll find several chutes to enjoy along the creek and a viewing platform on the Sacramento River near a prime swimming hole for summer dips.
Close by, the sublime Mossbrae Falls remain controversial and elusive. These falls are actually
scores of springs plunging down and through an electric green, moss-covered cliff to join the river below. For all of their allure and beauty, there is no legal way to reach the falls save for kayaking from the north or walking in the Sacramento River at low water.
(The less wet methods to reach it involve railroad tracks, rumbling trains and trespass, methods that are illegal and potentially dangerous. A hiker sustained head injuries after being struck by a train here in February.) But there is hope on the horizon: The Mount
Shasta Trail Association has been raising funds to create a short, safe trail route from Hedge Creek. It will be worth the wait.
Got more time? Faery Falls near the city of Mt. Shasta, Hatchet Creek and Potem Falls off Highway 299 are worth a peek, too.