North Table Mountain South Loop
Photos Maps Summary: North Table Mountain is a spectacular area to view waterfalls and wildflowers from about late-February to mid-April. There are no established trails on the mountain so bringing a GPS, or at minimum a map and compass is essential because of the lack of many landmarks. Some of the waterfalls here only run for a few days after a rainstorm, so it's a good idea to try and come either right after a storm or even during a storm (as long as you bring the right clothing and protection from the elements). The day that we did this hike was the last in about a 2 week stretch of virtually non-stop rain at the end of March, 2011. Because it was raining there were virtually no people around (only two other cars in the parking lot when we arrived and we ran into one group of people leaving as we were heading to Hollow Falls). However, the ground was VERY soggy making for quite a nasty mixture of water, dirt, and cow manure. One of the people we ran into while we were on our way to Hollow Falls said that she had been coming to see the falls on North Table Mountain for many years and that she couldn't think of a time where Hollow Falls was running more than it was that day.Distance: 7.25 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 800' totalSeason: March to mid-April (for wildflowers & waterfalls)Fees & Permits: None for dayhikers
Finding the Trailhead: 39.5957 N, 121.5417 W (official parking lot for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve). From the middle of the CA-70 bridge over Lake Oroville, follow CA-70 to the southwest for ~1.6 miles and turn left onto Cherokee Road. Follow this road as it weaves its way south towards North Table Mountain for ~5.8 miles to the trailhead parking area (just after climbing up the hill).
The Hike: Starting from the parking lot head west and follow the small creek (on the northern side) towards Hollow Falls. Many of the flowers in this area were not out as much as I would expect if it was sunny. However, there were still many flowers blooming. After ~0.6 miles you reach Hollow Falls making sure to cross to the southern side of the creek ~0.5 miles from the parking area. From the southern side of the brink of the falls you switchback your way down to the base of the falls. Be very careful here because it is quite steep. After admiring the view from the base of the falls (~0.15 miles to the base and back to where you cross the creek to the western side), head SW then W through Beatson Hollow. At ~1.05 miles from Hollow Falls we crossed the creek again (to the southern side) and soon came upon the old corral remains while climbing out of the hollow. Continuing W, you come upon the brink of Beatson Falls ~1.7 miles from Hollow Falls. There are many view points of the falls along the southern side of Beatson Hollow. From the western most viewpoint that we stopped at (~1.9 miles from Hollow Falls), we headed south towards Crevice Falls. After ~0.70 miles from the distant viewpoint of Beatson Falls we arrived at the edge of the mountain, just west of Crevice Falls. Crevice Falls is an interesting falls and aptly named. Also, just to the W of Crevice is a "sister" falls that has been reported to flow on occasion (waterfallswest.com). However, on this day it was barely trickling at best. Following the rim we headed SW away from Crevice Falls toward the viewpoint for Long (aka Ranch) Falls. After ~0.30 miles from the brink of Crevice Falls we arrived at the viewpoint for Long Falls (NW of the falls). The common viewpoint that is described for this falls is just below a tree (very near the edge, be careful), however, I found that I could not quite see the entire falls (including the pool at the base). Therefore I went in search of a viewpoint a little ways to the W and down. After some difficult negotiating of razor thin pathways (do NOT try this) I found a way to a different viewpoint that offered the entire view of the falls (including the pool). You can also view Long Falls by hiking to its base from the railroad tracks to the WSW. Next, we headed SE towards Coon Falls (one of the falls that only runs a couple of days after a storm). After ~1.15 miles (from Long Falls) we arrived at the viewpoint just to the W of Coon Falls. A straighter route would take ~1.0 miles from Long Falls. On this day, despite all the recent rain, Coon Falls was only barely running. From here, we headed NE and stopped for a view of Schirmer Falls and Schirmer Cascade to the E and SE (~0.8 miles from the distant view of Coon Falls). Finally, we continued to the NE before intersecting with the Cherokee Rd and following it (off the western side) back to the parking lot (~2.15 miles from the viewpoint for Coon Falls).
