Bear Ranch Creek Falls
Bear Ranch Creek Falls
Butte County, California
Description
Click to view photo(s)
Location
This is a very nice 81', two-step waterfall located just off of CA-70 in the North Fork Feather River Canyon. At lower flows, the base is a great place to take pictures. I would like this waterfall a lot more if it weren't for the mass of ticks here. After spending about 15 minutes at the base, my wife and I spent the next 10 at the car picking between 15 and 20 ticks from our dog (who stayed with us on the trail the whole time) and finding one climbing up my leg hair. Therefore, if you are visiting this waterfall between October and March (California's tick season for lower elevations) be aware of these little buggers. Also, while you're walking to or from this waterfall be sure to check out its little brother (~10' high in two steps) downstream, just above the highway.
Bear Ranch Creek Falls: 39.8416 N, 121.3942 W
Lower Bear Ranch Creek Falls: 39.8430 N, 121.3965 W
USGS Topo: Pulga
Directions
Follow CA-70 to ~0.7 miles south of the Arch Rock Tunnel in the Feather River Canyon (North Fork). Park in a small dirt area off the southern side of the road and walk up the steep hill to the east (east side of the creek). Shortly, you'll reach a dirt road coming from the northeast. Follow this dirt road to the southeast for ~400 feet until it ends, then follow the path for the last ~100 feet up to the base of the main waterfall. The Lower Falls can be seen ~100 feet from CA-70. An alternate way to reach these waterfalls is to park at the rest stop (~0.3 miles south of the Arch Rock Tunnel), cross CA-70 to the east side and follow a dirt road to the south. After ~0.3 miles the road turns to the left (southeast) and reaches the base of the waterfall in ~500 feet. This is the same road mentioned earlier.