Leavitt Falls

Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest / Sonora Pass, California, USA

About Leavitt Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Leavitt Falls was an attractive multi-tiered waterfall tumbling several hundred feet that was essentially a roadside stop.

It was one of the more convenient waterfalls to visit because all that was required was a short jaunt to a lookout to experience it.

Leavitt_Falls_003_07042002 - Leavitt Falls
Leavitt Falls

The viewing deck afforded us a distant view of all the tiers of the waterfall itself while also giving us a commanding view of Leavitt Meadow further downstream of the falls.

We were even able to glimpse the drier terrain further to the east as the climate was making its dramatic change from lush alpine scenery in the west to the much drier and harsher climate to the east.

It was as if we were right at the boundary of where the Eastern Sierra would take most of the precipitation of passing storms from the Pacific while leaving a drier rainshadow on the mountain range’s leeward side.

Indeed, Leavitt Falls and all of the relevant sights here were quite figuritively handed to us on a silver platter.

Leavitt_Falls_018_06242016 - Looking across the Leavitt Meadow from the Leavitt Falls Vista
Looking across the Leavitt Meadow from the Leavitt Falls Vista

So this was really a place to have a picnic, stretch the legs, and even make a FaceTime call as we were getting surprisingly good reception at this spot!

Trying to seek a way to get closer to Leavitt Falls

With such a distant view of Leavitt Falls, it was natural to try to seek out a way to get closer to it.

Since we had to do so little to experience the sights and sounds of Leavitt Falls, I could see evidence of other people that were tempted to scramble around for such alternate views.

Apparently, some have even tried to find a way to access the bottom of the falls nestled within a box canyon.

Leavitt_Falls_072_06242016 - I followed this path that went past some picnic tables before degenerating into pretty much an off-trail scramble
I followed this path that went past some picnic tables before degenerating into pretty much an off-trail scramble

Out of curiosity, I followed one informal trail that continued past a couple of picnic tables on the far side of the small parking area.

It eventually went to a suboptimal view of the main drop of Leavitt Falls.

Indeed, from looking at where some of the footprints were going, it was clear that it wasn’t a very sane thing to do to try to get any closer to the falls.

After all, the steepness of the terrain and the lack of improved views (the main overlook really was the best spot to take it all in) just seemed like too much risk for too little reward.

Leavitt_Falls_067_06242016 - My attempt at an alternate view of Leavitt Falls pretty much stopped here
My attempt at an alternate view of Leavitt Falls pretty much stopped here

Truth be told, it wasn’t worth the extra time or effort in my mind.

Authorities

Leavitt Falls resides in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Bridgeport in Mono County, California. It is administered by the USDA Forest Service. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: humbolt, toiyabe, mono, sonora pass, bridgeport, sierra, eastern sierra, california, waterfall, lee vining, leavitt meadow



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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.