Waterfalls

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Conan Kelly - 11 Apr 2006 21:15 GMT

Hello all,

I was wondering if anyone knows of a website that does a pretty good job of listing waterfalls.

In the 3rd/4th week of May, we will be we will be on vaca starting from Phoenix, AZ going through Solvang, CA, the Bay Area, The
Redwoods NF/NP up into Post Falls, ID, then coming back down through WY & UT. We love waterfalls.

If anyone knows of some that is somewhat on our path, PLEASE let me know. Please only falls that are day hikes. We really don't
have time or energy to do anything like Havasupi Falls (or is it Havasu Falls?).

Thanks for any help anyone can provide,

Conan Kelly

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NoSpam_aljimenez@yahoo.com - 11 Apr 2006 22:35 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Redwoods NF/NP up into Post Falls, ID, then coming back down through WY &
> UT. We love waterfalls.

We love waterfalls also, and can tell you of some in your route. There has
been a lot of rain and snow this year and the waterfalls will be awesome
here in the west coast. However you will be missing some spectacular ones
unles you change your route.

There are many in the southern Sierras which your current route will miss.
Sequoia, Kings Canyon and Yosemite have spectacular ones, but they are out
of your way by 200-300 miles.

As you clear the busy Cental Coast corridor (where I live, BTW) where there
are some but not spectacular ones, you will have lots along Hwy 101 north of
San Francisco. Again a spectacular one up north is Burney Falls, just north
of Lassen Peak, but this worthwhile one will take you towards the northern
Sierras about 200 miles East of your route, east of I5. However along Hwy
101 there are many waterfalls.

When you go through Oregon, our favorite is Silver Falls State Park just
north of Albany on I5. These are also spectacular.

Well, this is enough for now. I suggest you do a search on State and
National Parks with waterfalls included to locate many... Al

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Jim Gemmill - 11 Apr 2006 23:02 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Conan Kelly

Try http://www.waterfallsusa.com/locations.html

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y_p_w - 12 Apr 2006 01:17 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> If anyone knows of some that is somewhat on our path, PLEASE let me know. Please only falls that are day hikes. We really don't
> have time or energy to do anything like Havasupi Falls (or is it Havasu Falls?).

As stated elsewhere in this thread, Yosemite National Park would be
excellent. Most of the big waterfalls (Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil
Fall) are accessed via paved paths close to parking. If you want
a day hike, there's the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail or the trails
leading to Vernal and Nevada Falls. It shouldn't be that crowded
if you go before (the very crowded) Memorial Day weekend.

You didn't mention how grand a scale. The Dipsea/Steep Ravine/
Matt Davis loop from Stinson Beach to Mt Tamalpais and back has
many smaller waterfalls, especially along Webb Creek.

<http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/stinson.html>

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miles - 12 Apr 2006 01:26 GMT

> In the 3rd/4th week of May, we will be we will be on vaca starting from Phoenix, AZ going through Solvang, CA, the Bay Area, The
> Redwoods NF/NP up into Post Falls, ID, then coming back down through WY & UT. We love waterfalls.

I just came back from the Solvang area. Visited quite a few of the
wineries between Solvang and Paso Robles to the north. Great country.

If Arizona gets some good summer rains take a drive or hike to Workman
creek falls. It can be spectacular if its been raining. There is a
dirt road that goes to the top of Aztec Peak. Part way up is a small
pull out to view the falls. This road is not for the faint of heart.
It is a good road but very narrow with steep drop offs and few guard
rails. The rewards of an incredible view from the fire tower up top and
the falls along the way is worth it. Or you can follow the directions
below and take a hike from below.

http://www.toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Salome8.htm

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Charles Quinn - 12 Apr 2006 03:15 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Thanks for any help anyone can provide,

http://www.dankat.com/advents/cucamg.htm
http://www.dankat.com/advents/santcr.htm

Signature

Charles
The significant problems we face cannot be solved
at the same level of thinking we were at when we
created them. Albert Einstein

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QX - 13 Apr 2006 13:31 GMT

>Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Conan Kelly

Waterfalls in the desert ? There are many waterfalls flowing in
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just outside of Las Vegas.
Some are relatively easy to access, others require considerable rock
scrambling to get to the back reaches of the many canyons..
In addition, Big Falls & Mary Jane Falls (and others) are flowing now
in the Spring Mountains (Mt Charleston area) also a short hours drive
from Las Vegas. They are all day hikes ranging from 20 minutes to 3
hours each way.

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lhfotoware@hotmail.com - 13 Apr 2006 17:57 GMT

There's one other pair of falls that haven't been mentioned. Just 15
miles east of Coos Bay, OR, there's Gold and Silver Falls State Park.
Two nice falls, each about 150 feet tall, right close together and easy
to drive to. If you love waterfalls, now is the prime time for
Yosemite's Falls. They should be gushing right now with warmer waether
on the horizon and the intensely wet times behind us. I have a number
of pictures of some of the falls on my picture blog at:

http://lhfotoware.blogspot.com

If you go to Yosemite, be sure to take a side trip to Hetch Hetchy
Reservoir, Yosemite's "other valley". Wapama Falls is spectacular but,
you have to hike over to it to see the entire height of the falls.
There's also Tueeulala Falls right there, too, which BTW is a great
place to climb to the top of and wander on over to the top of Wapama,
too.

Also on my blogsite is the previously mentioned Burney Falls which
could easily fit into your travel plans. It's a giant spring area where
an underground river flows out from under the lava rock. awesome place
to spend an hour or two. In Idaho, there's a hot spring waterfall just
west of Lowman, up in the mountains north and east of Boise. Nice
campground right on the river, too.

Larry

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Conan Kelly

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y_p_w - 13 Apr 2006 18:26 GMT

> If you go to Yosemite, be sure to take a side trip to Hetch Hetchy
> Reservoir, Yosemite's "other valley". Wapama Falls is spectacular but,
> you have to hike over to it to see the entire height of the falls.
> There's also Tueeulala Falls right there, too, which BTW is a great
> place to climb to the top of and wander on over to the top of Wapama,
> too.

One note about Hetch Hetchy. The Hetch Hetchy Resevoir (created
by the O'Shaughnessy Dam) is the primary water supply for the city
of San Francisco. It's considered a "National Security Area" by the
federal government. I've also heard that the City and County of San
Francisco pays for the rangers working there.

When I went there last winter, the (law enforcement) ranger at the
entrance station came out (with jacket rigged to keep his revolver
exposed) and took down my license plate. It's only open for day
use from 8 AM to 5 PM, and they supposedly make sure day
users leave in time. There's a campsite there, but I believe they
require a backcountry permit.

I was told by the ranger that they don't charge for admission in the
off-season for Hetch Hetchy.

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PDDeen - 14 Apr 2006 02:08 GMT

If you can go there the Columbia River Gorge from Portland to the east
toward Maryhill, Wa. has the highest concentration of waterfalls of any
area in the country. Small, rippling to over 600' and most are
accessable from the highway. There are a couple of nice state park
campgrounds along the way too.

Paul

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RVer Don - 14 Apr 2006 06:54 GMT

> If you can go there the Columbia River Gorge from Portland to the east
> toward Maryhill, Wa. has the highest concentration of waterfalls of any
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Paul

If you go get off the Interstate and take the scenic route just a little
east of Troutdale to get the best views.

Don in Tracy, Calif.

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Peter Lawrence - 14 Apr 2006 08:53 GMT

> Hello all,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Conan Kelly

As some others have already mentioned, Yosemite National Park should be
part of your itinerary. In late May, the falls in Yosemite are near
their peak flows and are absolutely spectacular. Bridalveil, Vernal,
Nevada, and Yosemite Falls are the most famous, but in May there will
also be literally hundreds of other ephemeral falls pouring over the
cliffs of Yosemite Valley.

The hike to and from the base of Wapama and Tueeulala Falls over in
Hetch Hetchy Valley is a very nice half-day hike from the parking lot
that's near the Hetch Hetcy Reservoir dam. It is a great way to get
away from the crowds of Yosemite Valley on busy summer weekends. The
Hetch Hetchy Valley is a tranquil counter-note to the more bustling
Yosemite Valley. Note that the Hetch Hetchy Road is open longer hours
in the summer than in the winter. It will probably be open from at
least 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM in late May.

- Peter

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D_Frumious_B@ndersnat.ch - 16 Apr 2006 03:33 GMT

In rec.outdoors.national-parks Peter Lawrence <hummbaby@aol.com> wrote:

> In the 3rd/4th week of May, we will be we will be on vaca starting from

Phoenix, AZ going through Solvang, CA, the Bay Area, The > Redwoods NF/NP
up into Post Falls, ID, then coming back down through WY & UT. We love
waterfalls.

There is a waterfall along the road between Provo and Heber City, Utah,
called Bridalveil Falls. It's just a quick roadside stop. Along the
Mount Timpanogos Trail beginning at Aspen Grove just above the Sundance
Ski Resort there are a couple of dozen falls. The upper ones will be
inaccessible and/or under snow that early in the year, but the lower ones
might be accessible. Do NOT under any circumstances go beyond open trail
in that area!!! Snow accumulates in the canyon, and the stream undercuts
it. Falling through is certain death.
If and only if the weather is rainy, there are some spectacular
intermittent falls near the end of the road in the main canyon area of
Zion National Park.

Bill

* The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. *
* That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being *
* attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism *
* and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any *
* society. --Hermann Goering *

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