Pauley Falls

This is a small, two-tiered waterfall on the outskirts of Downieville in the North Yuba River Canyon. I first visited it during a heavy rainstorm, which looks entirely different than what when there is lower flows (second visit). Leon Turnbull of waterfallswest.com has a nice photo of it in the winter during very low flow with great detail in the creek rocks. There was no way that I was going to get a photo of this creek gracefully flowing over the two tiers and rocks on the first day. There is also at least one more waterfall upstream of this one on Pauley Creek (a second one is likely but not confirmed). The confirmed upstream waterfall is Federal Falls. The second, unconfirmed waterfall is supposed to be between Pauley and Federal and is referred to as "Slip & Slide", "Slip & Flip", or "Split Falls" by kayakers and appears to be a little smaller. I'll try and get to this waterfall at some point.

Location

Pauley Falls: 39.5701 N, 120.8201 W

USGS Topo: Downieville

Directions

From the CA-49 bridge in Downieville (over the Downie River) proceed north to the stop sign and turn right (Main Street, narrow). Follow this for ~350' before curving left quickly and then immediately curving right again to stay on Main Street. Follow Main Street for ~0.7 more miles (staying right at junction for Oxford Mine Road) to the bridge over Downie River where the road turns into Lavazzola Road/County Route S514. About 300' past the bridge park off the right side of the road where there is an area big enough for a few cars to park (be careful not to block the private gate near here). Here, you should be able to see a small sign pointing the way to Pauley Creek Falls on the chain-link fence across the small road to the northeast. Follow this road east past the water management building (on the north side of the building) and the falls are ~100' beyond. There is a steep use trail down to the creek (very dangerous during high flows) below the falls and a rope at one point to help you down/up.

Video