Park
McCloud River Falls Trailhead
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Eve
October 10, 2022
Protected by the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1974), the natural beauty of the McCloud River Falls is not to be missed. A well-maintained trail offers 3 gorgeous waterfalls in a four mile round trip. Popular with fly fisherman, you may be fortunate to see an angler trying his or her hand at luring in native redband trout. A parking lot at each waterfall gives access to ADA compliant trails to overlooks.
Protected by the California Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1974), the natural beauty of the McCloud River Falls is not to be missed. A well-maintained trail offers 3 gorgeous waterfalls in a four mile round trip. Popular with fly fisherman, you may be fortunate to see an angler trying his or her hand…
Laura
February 19, 2021
Although all three waterfalls along this section of the McCloud River have their own parking lot and can be easily accessed directly, it is well worth it to start at Lower Falls, then hike the River Trail upstream to the other falls. From the Lower Falls parking lot, take the paved path by the kiosk. You will almost immediately arrive at the Lower Falls, where a stone staircase leads to the water’s edge. (Swimmers, please note: new submerged boulders have made popular jumping spots at this this location extremely dangerous. The River is constantly changing; always exercise caution and good judgement, and do NOT assume the water is deep enough to dive.) From Lower Falls, continue upstream through the canyon, past Fowler Campground, approx 0.7 miles to Middle Falls (swimming is popular here as well). The trail has been relatively flat so far, but will climb a series of moderate switch backs from the base of Middle Falls up to an overlook above. The trail flattens and continues along the canyon rim to Upper Falls overlook. There is no sanctioned trail to the base of Upper Falls. For those interested, the trail continues another 13 miles further upstream, and because most hikers turn around at Upper Falls, you will find this section of river very uncrowded. Geology: The McCloud River Canyon beautifully displays the eruptive history of nearby Mt Shasta as it carves its way through multiple layers of basalt lava rock and volcanic mud flows. Of particular interest are the many outcrops of columnar basalt, which has a unique geometric shape. These textures form as lava flows cool and contract, creating regularly spaced vertical fractures.
Although all three waterfalls along this section of the McCloud River have their own parking lot and can be easily accessed directly, it is well worth it to start at Lower Falls, then hike the River Trail upstream to the other falls. From the Lower Falls parking lot, take the paved path by the kios…
Rhonda
September 23, 2019
Start at level one; three levels to moderately hike if you choose or drive straight to level three. Breathtakingly beautiful at any level.
Deborah
September 5, 2020
A great day trip that you can see on the way to Mt Shasta - easy hiking and car accessible and beautiful to view and meander peacefully in nature and great photos!
Christopher
February 12, 2020
Dramatic scenery -- cliffs that plunge down to the water below, along with superb hiking trails that give easy river access, plus sporting opportunities like swimming, kayaking, and fly fishing abound!
Das empfehlen Einheimische
Standort
McCloud, CA