Phantom Falls

North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve / Oroville, California, USA

About Phantom Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Phantom Falls was an impressive plunging 164ft waterfall flanked by giant basalt columns as well as a thinner companion waterfall.

While the waterfall itself was something we found worth targeting for a visit ever since we first learned about it, I thought it was the wildflower blooms that made this excursion even if the waterflow wasn’t great.

Phantom_Falls_108_04092021 - Phantom Falls
Phantom Falls

The falls ran on the seasonal Gold Run stream, which was probably so-named from this area’s Gold Rush heyday in the middle of the 19th century.

That was a time when settlers first came to California in waves in an attempt to strike it rich (and causing problems with Native Americans), which ultimately forever changed the state to what it is today.

These days, the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve (through which the Phantom Falls Trail passed) consisted of wide open pastures grazed by cattle from neighboring farms.

And it’s this open field of grasslands that resulted in conditions ripe for Spring wildflowers, which we were fortunate to witness during our early April 2021 visit.

Phantom_Falls_045_04092021 - Wildflowers almost superblooming in the open pastures along the Phantom Falls Trail (and 2021 was a drought year) were what really made the Phantom Falls hike, in my mind
Wildflowers almost superblooming in the open pastures along the Phantom Falls Trail (and 2021 was a drought year) were what really made the Phantom Falls hike, in my mind

In any case, it was the waterfalls that drew us to this area, and it turns out that there are quite a handful of them here, which can be combined in longer, extended hikes.

However, for the purposes of this write-up, I’ll just focus on the Phantom Falls experience, and point out the departure points for the other waterfalls that I’ve managed to visit (which have their own separate write-ups).

Timing A Visit To Phantom Falls

Before getting into the trail description, I wanted to discuss the timing of making a visit since this waterfall has a limited season.

In my mind, there are three considerations for timing a visit, and they are to:

  1. Visit during the maximum waterflow
  2. Visit during the peak superbloom of the wildflowers
  3. Visit when the lighting is best
Phantom_Falls_098_04092021 - Focused look at Phantom Falls still hanging onto its flow in Spring 2021. Note the people on the bluff to the topright providing a sense of scale
Focused look at Phantom Falls still hanging onto its flow in Spring 2021. Note the people on the bluff to the topright providing a sense of scale

If I had to make a guess, I’d argue that Phantom Falls would flow best in the Winter and early Spring periods, but this is completely dependent on how much precipitation has fallen in California’s Wet Season (typically Winter and early Spring).

When we visited in early April 2021, most of California was having a drought year so the Gold Run stream was well past the peak and was in danger of trickling or going dry in another month of no rain.

As you can see in the first photo on this page, the smaller companion waterfall was definitely trickling during that visit.

So based on that observation, perhaps early- to mid-March was ideal for a visit to see the falls flow well, but again, this window can shift depending on the Winter rainfall accumulations.

Phantom_Falls_208_04092021 - Looking back at the context of the Phantom Falls Trail flanked on each side by large mats of wildflowers
Looking back at the context of the Phantom Falls Trail flanked on each side by large mats of wildflowers

As for the timing of the wildflowers bloom, it seemed like our early April 2021 visit was either at or just past the peak.

Indeed, as you can see in the photos on this page, the fields were decorated in multiple hues.

I suspect that the wildflower blooms has to do with the temperatures so they may bloom early if the temperatures rise in the Spring earlier rather than later.

As a result, perhaps March might be the start of the blooms, if I had to take a guess, and if you combine that with the waterflow, I’m guessing March would have been great for the year 2021.

Phantom_Falls_234_04092021 - Closeup look at some of the countless wildflowers blooming around the Phantom Falls Trail
Closeup look at some of the countless wildflowers blooming around the Phantom Falls Trail

Nevertheless, maybe in a different year where Northern California might have seen more rain as well as warm temperatures in the Spring, then perhaps April would have been better.

It all depends on both precipitation and temperature patterns.

Finally, in terms of time of day to visit Phantom Falls and its neighboring waterfalls, I’d argue that early- to mid-afternoon on a sunny day would be best because just about all waterfalls faced west.

Under such conditions, you might even see a rainbow if the sun’s in the right position as it starts to sink into the horizon.

Phantom_Falls_184_04092021 - Phantom Falls scattering in the wind and producing afternoon rainbows in its mist
Phantom Falls scattering in the wind and producing afternoon rainbows in its mist

Of course, if the weather’s overcast, then time of day doesn’t matter so much, and at that time, perhaps avoiding crowds (typically an early start will help with that) becomes the priority.

Trail Improvements and Permits

As far as the trail description is concerned, it seems to be vastly improved compared to the chaotic and less-developed conditions described in prior trip reports on the internet.

So I’ll just focus on what I’ve seen, which I’d imagine was more straightforward than what crowdsourced websites like AllTrails or TripAdvisor might lead you to believe.

In fact, from my observations, a large percentage of people who provide feedback on those crowdsourced platforms tend not to follow hiking ethics nor exercise situational awareness.

Phantom_Falls_053_04092021 - Clearly labeled signs were present at each major trail junction, which I found to be a pleasant (and helpful) surprise considering some of the prior trip reports that I had read
Clearly labeled signs were present at each major trail junction, which I found to be a pleasant (and helpful) surprise considering some of the prior trip reports that I had read

Such behavior tends to adversely impact the experience for other people who follow after them.

The bottom line is that if you stay on the trails and follow the signs (as well as respecting social distancing), then you’re far less likely to commit trespassing or trampling where you shouldn’t.

Finally, there is a per-person fee to procure a CDFW Lands Pass to visit the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, which I was able to do by buying my permit online.

Apparently, you can also do it on the spot as there’s a QR code on one of the trailhead signs.

Phantom_Falls_003_04092021 - Sign at the trailhead with a QR code to pay the CDFW land pass fees on the spot.  Now if only they collected enough to enforce limiting visitor numbers and payment of the permits to control the overcrowding and non-ethical behavior
Sign at the trailhead with a QR code to pay the CDFW land pass fees on the spot. Now if only they collected enough to enforce limiting visitor numbers and payment of the permits to control the overcrowding and non-ethical behavior

Sometimes I wonder how well this fee collection is enforced though as I’d imagine there were more non-paying visitors than those who have paid.

Trail Description – From The Trailhead To Ravine Falls

Starting from the trailhead parking area for the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve (see directions below), I traversed a cattle maze and embarked on a fairly wide and well-used trail.

During my visit, it was flanked by mats of colorful wildflowers as the trail followed signage saying that I was leaving the ecological reserve boundary.

At about a half-mile, I reached a signed trail junction where the path on the left went to Hollow Falls (I have a separate write-up for this optional excursion), and the path on the right continued to Phantom Falls.

Phantom_Falls_027_04092021 - Sign at the junction between the Hollow Falls Trail and the Phantom Falls Trail at roughly a half-mile from the trailhead
Sign at the junction between the Hollow Falls Trail and the Phantom Falls Trail at roughly a half-mile from the trailhead

Following the continuation of the Phantom Falls Trail, it continued to traverse a wide open field with a couple of temporary streams to cross.

The first of these crossings was on Campbell Creek, which was the stream responsible for Hollow Falls.

So if there’s a good amount of water in this creek, then it might be worthwhile to extend a visit to see the other waterfall.

Other than that, this wide open path meandered for another 0.6-mile to another signpost pointing the way towards Ravine Falls.

Phantom_Falls_056_04092021 - Looking towards the trickling upper drop of Ravine Falls right before descending into the namesake ravine
Looking towards the trickling upper drop of Ravine Falls right before descending into the namesake ravine

From this signpost, I then went another 0.2-mile when I noticed the namesake ravine as well as what turned out to be the upper drop of Ravine Falls, which was trickling during my visit.

I’d imagine that this sign was here to keep hikers on the path going left into the ravine instead of skirting around it (and trespassing along the way).

So continuing on the proper trail, it narrowed as it descended roughly 100ft into the ravine descending towards a switchback before making the final descent towards a signed junction for the spur at the base of Ravine Falls.

From in these depths, Ravine Falls provided a gentle spray in its cool, shady grotto, and it provided temporary relief from the warm afternoon sun exposure throughout most of this hike.

Phantom_Falls_063_04092021 - Looking up towards the top of Ravine Falls from its cool and shaded base roughly 1.7 miles from the trailhead
Looking up towards the top of Ravine Falls from its cool and shaded base roughly 1.7 miles from the trailhead

The base of Ravine Falls was about 1.7 miles from the trailhead (according to my GPS logs) though I recalled some signage suggesting it was more like 1.5 miles.

Trail Description – Beyond Ravine Falls

Continuing on the trail to Phantom Falls, after crossing Ravine Creek, the trail then climbed another 140ft to leave the ravine.

Towards the top of this climb, there was some fencing (probably erected to keep people away from the neighboring private property) as well as lots more wildflowers (including California poppies).

Nearby, there was another trail coming in from the right, and I’d imagine that must have been the old trail that involved trespassing.

Phantom_Falls_081_04092021 - Lots of California poppies in bloom as I left the ravine and continued hiking towards Phantom Falls
Lots of California poppies in bloom as I left the ravine and continued hiking towards Phantom Falls

Anyways, continuing on this trail for another half-mile, I reached another signposted junction, where the path going left went 0.1-mile to the Phantom Falls Overlook as well as another 0.7-mile to Lower Ravine Falls (the latter has a separate write-up).

On the other hand, the vast majority of visitors continued straight ahead for the last 0.1-mile to a fairly wide bluff providing a more isolated and direct look at Phantom Falls.

This was the turnaround point for the majority of visitors, and my GPS logs suggested that it was roughly 0.8-mile from Ravine Falls to this overlook or 2.5 miles from the trailhead.

By the way, if you’re looking for that photo showing both Phantom Falls and the “Little Phantom Falls” together in one shot, that came from a precarious overlook that branched off from the Lower Ravine Falls Trail.

Phantom_Falls_126_04092021 - Approaching the precarious lookout on top of a basalt knob yielding a nice view of both Phantom Falls and the 'Little Phantom Falls' together
Approaching the precarious lookout on top of a basalt knob yielding a nice view of both Phantom Falls and the ‘Little Phantom Falls’ together

I say it’s precarious because it involved a bit of careful maneuvering on a narrow basalt ledge before climbing on the other side of its crease and onto a basalt knob.

When I checked out this unsigned spot, I was all alone as apparently not many people were aware of it.

However, I found this to be one of the most peaceful ways to view Phantom Falls, especially since there seemed to be California condors gliding this way and that in Coal Canyon.

Trail Description – Beyond Phantom Falls

Finally, while most people turned back from the overlooks of Phantom Falls, I took that as an opportunity to extend my visit and try to enjoy the scenery from other, more unusual perspectives.

Phantom_Falls_217_04092021 - Context of the profile of Phantom Falls as I went beyond the 'common' lookout bluff and towards the waterfall's brink
Context of the profile of Phantom Falls as I went beyond the ‘common’ lookout bluff and towards the waterfall’s brink

First, I continued to skirt along the rim of Coal Canyon as I followed a trail that descended steeply towards the Gold Run Stream and the brink of Phantom Falls.

Since there were no railings, I had to exercise extreme caution in not edging out too close to the edge of the cliff.

Beyond the Gold Run, the trail then steeply ascended as it narrowed and traversed another field of wildflowers.

Clearly, there were fewer people that went this far, which explained why the trail was narrower, but it ultimately turned west and got me to the top of one of the giant basalt bluffs looking back at the Phantom Falls.

Phantom_Falls_248_04092021 - Looking back over the precarious brink of Phantom Falls. Notice the bluff in the topright of this photo, which was the 'common' overlook that most people turned around at
Looking back over the precarious brink of Phantom Falls. Notice the bluff in the topright of this photo, which was the ‘common’ overlook that most people turned around at

This informal viewpoint was about a quarter-mile beyond the brink of Phantom Falls, or a half-mile beyond the overlook that most visitors went to.

During my visit, I did notice one couple who seemed to be locals that knew what they were doing that managed to scramble their way down underneath the overhang behind Phantom Falls.

From what I could tell, there was a faint overgrowth use-trail that steeply went into one of the ravines between basalt bluffs before skirting along the base of the basalt cliffs.

There is definitely some risk involved in doing this, and I opted not to follow them down to the base of the falls.

Phantom_Falls_238_04092021 - Context of Phantom Falls as seen from the other side of the Gold Run Stream. Notice the couple that figured out a way to reach the basalt overhang at the waterfall's base
Context of Phantom Falls as seen from the other side of the Gold Run Stream. Notice the couple that figured out a way to reach the basalt overhang at the waterfall’s base

Nevertheless, the fact that I witnessed these people pull off that feat tells you that it is possible, but it’s definitely not for everyone.

If I had to tally up all the hiking that I did just to experience Phantom Falls, then I’d say that the hiking distance was a minimum of 4.5 miles round-trip.

But with some extra exploration, I probably went more like over 5 miles round-trip (keeping in mind that I did do other detours for Lower Ravine Falls and Hollow Falls as well as going past the brink of Phantom Falls).

Overall, I spent a solid 4.5 hours away from the car (including all the detours), but I’d imagine that you can easily spend about 3 hours on just the Phantom Falls excursion alone.

Authorities

Phantom Falls resides in a combination of the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve and some private lands near Oroville in Butte County, California. It is administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. 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: north table mountain ecological reserve, oroville, chico, gold run, ravine falls, wildflowers, cows



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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.
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