Haypress Creek Falls
Haypress Creek Falls
Sierra County, California
Description
Click to view photo(s)
There are at least three sets of waterfalls along Haypress Creek downstream of the footbridge above the Wild Plum Campground near Sierra City. Of the waterfalls in the vicinity of this waterfall (Loves Falls, West Wild Plum Falls, East Wild Plum Falls, and Great Eastern Ravine Falls), I believe that this set of waterfalls deserves the most attention. Although the North Yuba River provides much more power for Loves Falls, these three put together are better, especially since not a lot of people visit them. I could only find one picture of one of these waterfalls online but to the best of my knowledge no one else online describes these waterfalls. To see these waterfalls requires off-trail scrambling so be careful and travel at your own risk.
Location
Upper Haypress Creek Falls: 39.5652 N, 120.5902 W
Middle Haypress Creek Falls: 39.5655 N, 120.5915 W
Lower Haypress Creek Falls: 39.5657 N, 120.5920 W
USGS Topo: Haypress Valley
Directions
From Sierra City, take CA-49 east ~0.4 miles and turn right onto Wild Plum Road. Follow the road for ~1.4 miles to the end of the campground and right in front of where a gate blocks the road (after you cross over the bridge over Haypress Creek). Walk up the road behind the gate for ~1/4 mile. Immediately after crossing over the bridge below East Wild Plum Falls take the trail to the left. Just before the trail turns to the east to cross over Haypress Creek there is a great view of the Sierra Buttes to the northwest. After being on this trail ~1/4 mile it crosses over Haypress Creek and continues to the northwest. After a further ~0.1 miles the trail intersects with the Haypress Creek Trail. From here I headed off-trail downhill (SSW) until I came to the creek (steep and dangerous in some locations). Luckily I came to the creek right where the Upper Falls is. I came upon the Middle Falls after making my way downstream from the Upper Falls (not easy, steep, and dangerous). From the Middle Falls I made my way a little ways more downstream to the Lower Falls (again not easy, steep, and dangerous). You can make a loop of this hike by returning to the trail and continuing to the west and finishing just east of the campground.