Road Trip - Day Three

It was smokier and colder on Saturday.  I arrived at the South Falls parking lot in the chill, when there were only 30 cars or so.  When I returned after the hike, it looked like there might be 1000 cars in the huge lots, and by the numbers of people there, and the day was much warmer; so I was happy to have gotten in and out before the Saturday throngs and heat descended.

A "triple" big rig on Hwy 22.

Back along Hwy 214

The entrance to the South Falls Historic District 

I have to say, the fact that I could experience these falls in this park is a testament to the men mentioned here.

South Falls Cafe

One end of it

Another view

At the end, a lovely patio

Seen from the other side.

This is the Theater

Here's the Nature Store 

It's not yellow brick, but I'm compelled to follow it.

My first glimpse of the South Falls

Thankyou Mr. Cieslak!

And here's his gift of forest!

Surely they jest!  Like I'd even want to....

The top of the South Falls, with the bridge below that I'll be crossing later.

This bridge crosses the creek behind the top of the South Falls.  Entrancing, no?

The top of the South Falls from the bridge.

Golly I love these wooded, railed paths!

This is Frenchie Falls, but no water was evident, not even by sound.

This is the South Falls!

The overhang is so low in some places along the trail, one has to stoop a little to get through

This waterfall has railings!  It's amazing how much comfort that offers.  I could stop and be brave and really look despite the very narrow places.

Here it is from the other side, with people

Here it is from the bridge below, which leads either back up to where you were, or further along a higher ridge trail

I decide to head to the Lower South Falls without hestitation

pretty trail

The lava (?) bedrock is smooth, washed, so different from the Feather River Canyon; the creek looks "messy".

Cool Tree hanging on the cliff over my head

Pretty morning

The trail starts to descend

I had to seriously recover from that stretch before I could even take this photo.

Hmmm.  Okay.

Oh MY!

Almost done?

Nope, more to come.  But there's the falls, and if I hold onto the railing, I'll be okay looking at it.

Oh MY!

I'm feeling "old hat" about it, but it still makes me sweat.

Okay, I think we've reached the "bottom".

Pretty Lower South Falls 

With lovely railings!

Isn't this just so beautiful?

Art shot

Selfie.  Note the rock wall barrier between me and the edge.  Nice.

Looking through the falls to the trail and rock wall beyond

Art shot.  Can't help myself.

Selfie

Lower South Falls from the other side.  The canyon trail continues on to where I'd been yesterday, but here's where I turn back for the return trip.

Here's a view to show you what I could not look at on my way down; much, but not all, of the switch-back climb down to and up from the falls.

I like this one with colorful people in it.

I just loved the colors and the light on the tree-moss.

Even though I have a bit more to show of this park, I'm going to include it in my Day Four post, which will come later.  I go home and stop for a totally different scenery hike then.