Big Falls

Big Falls could very well be

The first time we attempted to visit this waterfall was back in late Spring of 2005 when they closed the trail to the viewpoint below the falls. During that trip, we had to settle for views from across the canyon at the Forest Falls community.

Five years later, we came back in the Summer, and we were pleasantly surprised at its satisfying flow (especially considering it was August and in the middle of fire season).

Moreover, the trail was open (and pretty busy). So after parking the car (and displaying a Forest Adventure Pass), we followed the trail to the left along Mill Creek before we had to cross it. The crossing was nothing more than rock hopping to stay dry, but I could totally imagine how it could not be safely crossed during the peak snowmelt period of Spring. In Spring of 2005, it followed a heavy-rainfall/snowpack Winter so there was no wonder why it was closed on our first visit. In Summer of 2010, we were having June Gloom even in August so it seemed like the waterfall's flow behaved more like it was July or something.

Anyways, once we were beyond Mill Creek, we were able to scramble onto the rocky delta of Falls Creek where we could look high up at the main section of the falls. It was a good thing I had a telephoto lens this time to capture it. Otherwise, the falls would look pretty small with most normal zooms. We also checked out some of the smaller cascades comprising the lowermost sections of Big Falls.

Behind the Hazardous Area sign, the trail continued to climb uphill for a brief moment before terminating at a railed overlook providing a slightly better view of the main section of Big Falls as well as some other cascades twisting and turning through the canyon. This would typically be the end point of the excursion, which would end up being about 0.6 miles round trip from the car park.

Now while I don't advocate scrambling off trail, Mom and I followed a couple of middle-aged guys who indirectly showed us the way up even higher than the official viewpoint. This involved a bit of stream walking (good thing we had Gore-tex boots) and rock scrambling all the while avoiding poison oak and a couple of fallen trees. After another 10-15 minutes more of scrambling, Mom and I ended up seeing a couple of tall vertical hidden tiers that would've otherwise not been seen.

It was these sections of the falls that really reminded me of a taller version of Fish Canyon Falls and made the scramble worthwhile. However, it was dangerous enough where both Dad and Julie stayed behind (and I definitely wouldn't recommend children, pregnant women, nor seniors try it). Had those two guys not had already scrambled up and gave Mom the idea of following them, we wouldn't have made the attempt.

I could totally see why fatalities have happened here before. Still, I thought I had seen worse scrambles than this, and if you come prepared and respect Nature enough to be willing to turn back when the conditions won't allow for you to proceed, then perhaps it might be worth a look to see if the scramble is for you. But again, be cognizant of the rockfall danger as well as the slippery rocks.

Take Valley of the Falls Drive on the right, and then follow this road through the Forest Falls community before turning left onto the large car park area for Big Falls (it's just beyond the end of town). Parked vehicles must display an Adventure Pass here, and we were able to purchase one on the spot at this car park.

It took us about 90 minutes of driving from around the 60/57 Freeway junction towards Forest Falls.

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The car park with an attractive tree

On the trail to Big Falls

Crossing Mill Creek. This crossing would be dangerous if water levels were high (like during peak snowmelt during late Spring or early Summer)

Looking up at the falls from the bottom just after the Mill Creek Crossing

Cascades at the lowest part of the falls

My parents checking out the falls from the official overlook

Looking up at the falls from within the cascades beneath the official overlook

Context of Big Falls within the top of the canyon as seen from the official area

The hidden middle tiers as seen after doing the rugged scramble

Me checking out the rugged middle tiers

Looking up directly at the hidden middle tiers before leaving

Big Falls as seen from Forest Falls in 2005

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Left to right sweep of the lowermost cascades

Fixated on the falls from the bottom just after the Mill Creek crossing

Bottom up sweep from the cascades beneath the official overlook and ending at the main falls at the very top of the canyon

Fixated on the falls and the fallen tree from the official overlook

Fixated on the falls as seen from the Forest Falls community

View World of Waterfalls in a larger map

TRIP REPORTS

• August 8, 2010

GUIDEBOOKS / OTHER RESOURCES

NEARBY WATERFALLS

• Heart Rock Falls

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