California's Laughing Waters

by Barbara L. Steinberg

Abundant winter rains and melting snowpack have California waterfalls exploding with water. Springtime is generally the best time to view these natural wonders as many falls dry-up in the summer heat due to decreased water flows. During the right winters, waterfalls come crashing back to life. The Native Americans called them "laughing waters." This year California waterfalls are giggling, chortling, screaming, and lifting their voices in tumultuous laughter.

Shasta Cascade

Siskiyou County is waterfall rich. McCloud Falls (upper, middle and lower) are 5.9 miles east of the town of McCloud and can be reached by following the signs to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Fowlers Campground located on the Upper McCloud River. The three falls are within two miles of each other and Upper McCloud Falls is accessible by car. There is fishing and a natural swimming hole on Hwy. 89. Near Mount Shasta City, Ney Springs Canyon Trail and Faery Falls are easily accessed. The 1.5-mile round-trip hike to Faery Falls passes through the 19th-century ruins of Ney Springs Resort. Located near Dunsmuir, Hedge Creek Falls Trail is well marked and has a picnic area near the base of the falls. The trail leads visitors beneath the falls and, a short distance away, to views of the Sacramento River.

In Shasta County, Burney Falls, once called "the eighth wonder of the world" by Teddy Roosevelt, is fed by spring flows of 200 million gallons daily. Much of the water from these underground streams actually spouts from the rock. The divided falls rumble down a 129-foot cliff into an emerald pool before flowing into Lake Britton. Trails that almost anyone can manage lead down to the pool on both sides. For the best view, hike the 1/2-mile trail that traverses the hillside. You can cross the top of the falls most of the year, but waters run heaviest in the spring.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls, the tallest falls in North America (fifth tallest in the world), drops 2,425 feet to the valley floor. The Upper Fall plunges 1,430, feet, connecting with the 320-foot Lower Fall by a 675-foot cascade. Follow a 3.6-mile trail, which includes a 270-foot gain in elevation, to reach the top of Yosemite Falls. Start at Lower Yosemite Falls for a 1/2- day hike with excellent views of Half Dome. The best views are about two-thirds of the way up, so don't feel as if you're missing out if you don't make it to the top. Impressive views of the falls are seen on the path to the base.

Fed by Sierra Nevada snowfields, the Merced River spills over the 594-foot Nevada Falls and then plummets another 317 feet over Vernal Falls. Known as The Mist Trail, the hike starts uphill through the mist sprayed by Vernal Falls. When the light is right, hikers are rewarded with rainbows in the mist of Vernal Falls. The climb to the top of Nevada Falls is difficult; the last 900 feet of elevation gain is up steep polished granite. The half-day round-trip up the falls is 3.4 miles one way.

Yosemite Indians called the 620-foot Bridalveil Fall, Pohono, or "spirit of the puffing winds." Strong winds often lift the thundering water and blow it sideways. Bridalveil is visible from the road, but an easy 10-minute walk will take you to its foaming base.

Mono County

On the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada is Rainbow Falls, located in the Inyo National Forest south of Devils Postpile National Monument. Along a 1.3-mile trail, the San Joaquin River plunges 101 feet over volcanic rock into a box canyon. Multi-colored rainbows are clearly visible in the mist of the mighty falls. Devils Postpile is a brief walk from parking lots and shuttle stops. The trail to Rainbow Falls is a short 1-1/4-mile hike from Devils Postpile.

Drive around the Mammoth Lakes Basin — Lake Mary, Twin Lakes, Mamie, George and Horseshoe (there is no Mammoth Lake). Spilling down from Lake Mamie west of the town of Mammoth Lakes is Twin Falls, which cascades 300-feet along a granite bed into Twin Lakes. It can be viewed from the overview at Twin Lakes

Plumas County

Located 25 miles east of Oroville, the Feather Falls National Recreation Trail will lead you to 640-feet high Feather Falls. The trail, located within the 15,000-acre Feather Falls Scenic Area, winds through the foothills 3.8 miles to Feather Falls. Water flows at Feather Falls are heaviest during the spring months.

Placer County

Twenty-five miles from Foresthill in Placer County is Grouse Falls, one of California's most scenic waterfalls. Cascading down several hundred feet, the falls are hidden at the head of an isolated box canyon. The falls were largely inaccessible until 1992 when a trail constructed to a deck perched along the canyon wall allowed the falls to be seen. The trail is an easy, 1/3-mile walk. The best time for viewing the falls is in the spring when water flows are high.

Death Valley National Park

Darwin Falls, with its sparkling stream and year-round 30-foot cascading waterfalls, is an oasis in the desert. Just off Hwy. 190, leading into Death Valley National Park, it's an easy half-mile hike to lower Darwin Falls. Another short hike ends at the rushing waters of the upper falls.