About Pacheco Creek Falls
Pacheco Creek Falls was really a series of small and highly seasonal waterfalls draining a limited catchment beneath the Big Rock Ridge within the Pacheco Valle Preserve backing a suburb towards the southern end of Novato.
Of the “neighborhood waterfalls” that I’ve visited in Marin County, this one perhaps had the least developed trails and perhaps the most adventure, as a result.
I tend to refer to most of Marin County Waterfalls as “neighborhood waterfalls” because many of them are situated and/or accessed through residential areas.
With Pacheco Creek Falls, I was able to access its trail from the end of Pacheco Creek Drive, which itself was a residential road (see directions below).
In any case, I noticed three potential spots where there could be modest-sized waterfalls (mostly 5ft-15ft tall with one side one that’s possibly as high as 30ft or so), but it’s hard to tell when there’s no waterflow as was the case during my February 2022 visit.
Experiencing The Pacheco Creek Waterfalls – The Left Fork
From the cul-de-sac at the end of the Pacheco Creek Drive, I hiked for about 0.1-mile before the trail reached a fork.
At this junction, there were streams or drainages coming from each of the paths in the fork.
I initially kept left because that drainage seemed to have a little bit more water, and it ultimately led me another 0.1-mile to a small 5ft waterfall that was trickling during my visit.
The trail became narrower and progressively sketchier, especially since there seemed to be numerous false trails going higher up the steep hillsides as well as beyond the waterfall.
However, such worn use-trails definitely wore on the landscape there, and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before erosion takes over and you’ll have a landslide here.
By the way, these informal trails were very sketchy because they essentially clung to the steep hillsides, and it got to the point that I wasn’t so sure it would be wise to use them.
Experiencing The Pacheco Creek Waterfalls – The Right Fork
So I backtracked to the fork that was about 0.1-mile from the end of Pacheco Creek Drive, and then I followed its narrow use-trail.
It primarily skirted alongside the mostly drier and seasonal creek while ducking under one fallen tree (or at least one tree whose branches grew really close to the hillside) to continue.
Eventually, the trail rose and clung to a narrow ledge with a view of a maybe 10ft rock face which was where I’d imagine the most photographed of the Pacheco Creek Falls would be flowing (if it flows).
There was a very narrow use-trail that skirted the dropoffs and led to the top of this rock face for a closer look at the falls.
I was able to make this scramble, and then continue a little further upstream where there was another small waterfall on the same stream as well as a side rock face to the right along the way.
I’d imagine that side waterfall (which was probably around 30ft or more) would only flow under very wet conditions, which would make getting to this spot a bit sketchier given the likelihood of soil erosion and muddiness.
Indeed, despite the short distances involved (it’s probably 0.6-mile in total to take in both forks and the 3 waterfalls I’m reporting here), it’s definitely not an easy walk in the manner that the other Novato Waterfalls were (like Buck Gulch Falls and Ken Harth Falls).
Still, if the timing’s right, it is one of the lesser known and not-as-well-visited waterfalls in the area and worth it under the right conditions.
Overall, I spent roughly 30 minutes or so for this excursion, but I easily could have lingered here longer had there been more water in Pacheco Creek.
Authorities
The Pacheco Creek Falls reside in the Pacheco Valle Preserve near Novato in Marin County, California. It is administered by the Marin County Parks. For information or inquiries about the area as well as current conditions, visit their website.
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Pacheco creek January 8, 2023 6:34 pm - Both left and right forks have very active waterfalls after heavy rains, but require getting feet wet ...Read MoreVisitor Reviews of this Waterfall:
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