6.5   Lower McCloud Falls

Lower McCloud Falls in spring Lower McCloud Falls in winter

Location: McCloud, McCloud River picnic area, Shasta National Forest, Siskiyou County Height: 12 ft. Access:               Distance: n/a Elevation: 3250 ft. Season: Mar-Sep Difficulty: Lat/Long:41.24273, -122.02466 Directions:Take Hwy #89 east from I-5 to McCloud. Continue 5.5 miles east to the Fowler's Camp and Lower Falls sign. Turn right and drive 1.2 miles to the Lower Falls picnic area.

Lower McCloud Falls is a very small drop along the McCloud River (12 ft.). Although small, it is still a powerful force shooting off a narrow ledge. Even late in the year, McCloud River flows quite strong. Lower Falls is also an extremely popular area for a picnic and swimming in the river. It is a perfect spot for diving off the top of a waterfall into a pool. The best time to get here for pictures is early in the morning or late in the evening, to beat the crowds and the sun. It is also very peaceful to sit by the waterfall when no one else is around.

From the picnic area, you can hike along the McCloud River to the Middle and Upper falls (3.4 miles round-trip). You could also drive to these other falls, but the hike is a gorgeous one.

I returned here in Feb. 2007 with a foot of fresh snow on the ground. I was expecting to be able to drive in to the parking area from the road, but instead had to hike in (1.5 miles one way). It was a tiring hike through the snow, but I am glad I did it. The lower falls was just beautiful with the fresh snow all around it.

This waterfall was originally named "Nurum-wit-ti-dekki" by the native Wintu indians. The name meant "falls where the salmon turn back". That is a much more interesting name than "Lower Falls". We say this waterfall should be changed back to its original name.

By the way, if you're looking for a place to camp, Fowler's campground is an awesome one. There are no flush toilets, but it is incredibly scenic, lots of deer wandering through the campground, and is very quiet (during the week at least).

Zoom out on map to see all nearby waterfalls:

Other waterfalls nearby:

Upper McCloud Falls	0.84 miles
Middle McCloud Falls	0.84 miles
Squaw Valley Creek Falls	10.94 miles
Mud Creek Canyon Falls	11.54 miles
Mossbrae Falls	12.82 miles
Shasta Springs	12.83 miles
Hedge Creek Falls	12.93 miles
Root Creek Falls	16.48 miles
Faery Falls	16.52 miles
Sweetbriar Falls	17.46 miles
Wagon Creek Falls	21.39 miles
Little Roaring Creek Falls	23.81 miles
Roaring Creek Falls	25.04 miles
Burney Falls	25.48 miles
Hatchet Creek Falls	25.79 miles
Lion Slide Falls	26.54 miles
Lion Wash Falls	26.56 miles
Potem Falls	27.91 miles
Montgomery Creek Falls	28.44 miles

Shasta Cascade

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