RAIN-OCALYPSE ?

Some of you were wondering where I would go after a huge rainstorm, like the one we just had (or more accurately, supposedly had). There is only one answer to that question: Canyon Creek Falls.

The so-called storm of the year, hugely over-hyped by the media. The biggest storm in six years. Storm-aggedon. Rain-ocalypse (as I called it). Binky (as a friend of mine was calling it). I think not. Okay okay, well I think they did get quite a bit of rain in the Bay area, and also in northern California. But it seemed to bypass the northern foothills and Tahoe area. We were supposed to get 5-7 inches in the northern foothills, and we only received about half that amount. We did get much needed precipitation, but in fact, the storm last week was bigger than the one this week, for our area at least.

I was anticipating waking up to see the North Fork American River with at least 8000 cubic feet per second flowing, and hoping for even twice that flow. It would have been the case if the rain forecast had been true. However, it was only at 4000 cfs, and that is the amount it peaked at for this storm. It was only half the amount that I expected it to be.

I have been wanting to see Canyon Creek (which flows into the North Fork) at monster flow for many years now. It is gnawing at my insides. Driving me to insanity. Yet, Canyon Creek Falls continues to be an elusive beast for me. Oh yes, it would be flowing very well, fantastically well. But it would not be the monster flow that I want to see before I die. That I must see before I die. So … I drove up the hill and hiked in to Canyon Creek Falls anyway.

The flow was almost identical to the time I was here last. I compared photos from last time, and I could tell it was just slightly more this time around. Not monster. But still awesome. The rain was done for the time being. The sun was trying to come out. The view was astounding. I could see waterfalls flowing off the distant mountains on unmarked streams. I had never seen that before. The North Fork American River was remarkable, flowing strong far below me. Light clouds and fog were enveloping Lovers Leap and other mountains. It is an incredible spot and I was happy to be there.

Enjoy the present. We can thank the Lord for every drop of rain we get, it is all so much needed. Perhaps next time I’ll see that monster flow. Bring on the next rain-ocalypse.

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