Kati and I went to Feather Falls with Laurie and Fred over Mother's Day weekend. What a nice way for Kati and Laurie to spend Mother's Day! Feather Falls is located 30 miles from Oroville on the Fall River. The Fall River flows into the Feather River and then into Lake Oroville. We also did a short hike up to Bald Rock.

We took the backroads gettering there, going through Calistoga, Clear Lake, Colusa, Marysville, and Yuba City. It was about 3 1/2 hours from Sebastopol. We were worried about the hiking conditions on the way up since the temperatures outside were slighty over 100F. However, on the day of the hike, temperatures were really comfortable in the low 80s.

From Oroville, you take the Oroville Dam Road to Forbestown Road and turn right. Then you take Lumpkin Road to the left, and the trail head is well marked. There is a paved parking lot at the trailhead with campsites and restrooms.

The trail to the Falls goes in a "loop". There is a shorter more rigorous 3.5 mile path, and a longer flatter 4.5 mile path. There are markers every 1/2 mile to track your progress. We took the shorter way in and the longer way out, and debated the "rigor" and "flatter" aspects thoroughly.

The tail was lined with wildflowers, trees, ferns, streams, and beautiful views. We saw salamanders, slugs, millipedes, snakes, lizards, and birds. There were trout visible in the streams. For the most part, the trail is covered by the tree canopy so you stay shaded and cool, but there are a few places exposed to the sun, and by the later afternoon we got really warm so we cooled off in Fry Creek.

We got a pretty early start so we saw few other people on the way in, but by day's end I estimate we passed 50 hikers. The trails, bridges over the creeks, markers, erosion control, and general upkeep of this area is remarkable. Someone, or some group, really cares about the Feather Falls trail. You notice this all the way along, but once you arrive at the Falls overservation platform, you can tell this project was someone's "dream". The observation platform is a solid deck purched at the edge of cliffs adjacent to the Falls. Is must have been recently rebuilt because the materials were so new looking. The platform gives you a stunning view of the 640 foot falls. 180 degrees from the Falls you see the river far below.

This was Kati's and my first hike into the Falls. Fred, 85 years old, has done the hike 8 times! For Laurie, 82 years old, this was her second visit. I am sure we will return with some of our friends or family. Feather Falls is place you have to share with others.

Thanks Laurie and Fred for taking us to your special place!