Whiskytown Falls

We stopped to take the hike to Whiskytown Falls on the way home from Los Angeles.  It was a perfect place to stop and stretch our legs and breathe in fresh forest air, without driving far from I-5. Whiskytown Falls has an interesting history.  The falls were first discovered by loggers in the 1940s, but when the land became part of a National Recreation Area, the park rangers decided to keep the existence of the falls quiet.  It is said that they didn't want this lovely area to be spoiled.  The falls were rediscovered recently by a park biologist.  He heard rumors of "mammoth falls" hidden in the park, and finally found them using aerial photos for guidance.  A trail was created to the falls and it's now a very popular destination. The falls have three separate tiers, and total 220 feet.  

The bottom tier.

The middle tier.

The top tier.

Crystal creek.  The water is truly crystal clear.

Pacific madrone.

Crystal creek.