Spring Creek Falls
Delightful Spring Creek Falls are not tall, 20, or so, feet, but this set of twins make vertical dives side by side into their private pool—setting only 4 to 6 feet or so above the South Yuba River. That’s one of its charms. Another in the summer: sitting in the pool and letting fresh creek water from the falls cascade onto you as you soak away your cares. With the River rumbling by only a few feet away. And an easy hike only a half hour from Nevada City.
...timing is the biggest challenge...
...set of twins make vertical dives side by side into their private pool—setting only 4 to 6 feet or so above the South Yuba River.
DESCRIPTION:
With the relatively easy access, timing is the biggest challenge. Early spring offers the best pictures. With a little rock scrambling you can frame both the falls and river in your picture. The quarter-mile stroll itself is mostly level but with enough rolling over and under rock ledges that typically good balance and shoes are warranted. The scramble to the falls next to the river requires moderate negotiations over rock and boulders. When the falls are best in the spring, getting across the little creek – and keeping your feet dry – requires rock hopping or scrambling across the little gorge upstream of the falls. If you are not a scrambler, plan on getting your feet wet for a few steps. Or stay on the near side of the falls and miss the best views of the falls. Don’t.
In the spring, soaking in the pool is too cold for me. Still the photography opportunities are at their best. Especially, if you clamor over the rocks next to the falls for close-up photographs.
During Yuba’s high runoff from snow melting near the Sierra Crest, the falls dump directly into the river. But at that time the higher water is too rapid to allow soaking in the pool. Stay back.
By July, the creek’s low elevation watershed flow is down. Permits fairly easy scrambling across, but now the falls aren’t as photogenic. The falls usually last through the summer with sufficient runoff to offer pleasant soaking in the pool below the falls plus a quick, rocky drop to the river and its larger pools.
Decisions, decisions. Or go each season. Certainly the falls are close enough. With locals they are popular; don’t expect solitude. Be willing to share, especially on weekends.
Reminder: the main river should never be swum until July. Before that the deceptively cold and fast water can be dangerous.
Historic, steel Edwards Crossing Bridge (c.1862) and river are also photogenic. The location is a popular access point for whitewater boaters. Paved parking and vault toilet as approaching the bridge from the south.
The short hike in, taking pictures and returning to your vehicle take only an hour, or so. Stay to swim or relax. If you are out for an outing including exercise, combine the falls as a quickie added to hiking the South Yuba to Purdon Crossing or upriver towards Humbug Creek. Both great and genuine hikes.
The last, late winter I was there Lady Bugs were everywhere. Clustered on their favorite trees and clumped onto the skimpiest branches of bushes or leaves. There was a million, easily. I wanted to say a billion, but you might suspect I was exaggerating, slightly. Still, take a camera if you have a macro or close-up lens. At least they just sit and pose for you.
DIRECTIONS:
To Spring Creek Falls
Follow paved North Bloomfield Road north from Highway 49 intersection (at its only stoplight) lying on the north side of Nevada. Travel for about 0.5 mile to a major intersection with the road going left to Purdons Crossing. Stay to right at this intersection and continue down North Bloomfield Road to the river. The road is paved to the Edwards Crossing, but the last drop is steep, narrow, and not recommended for RVs or trailers.
The quarter-mile trailhead is not designated with a sign, but hard to miss. Scarcely 10-20 feet beyond the north side of the Edwards Crossing Bridge, the trail drops down some steps and then follows down South Yuba River to Spring Creek.
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
Ok, call it strolling with some rock scrambling. Small falls but given the stereo set of vertical plunges into a pleasant little pool for soaking, plus its setting, one of our better falls – at least during the wet seasons typically December thru April.
