Leon Turnbull Photography

This weekend’s hike was to Shingle Falls in the Spenceville Wildlife Area, near Marysville. No cougars were spotted on the hike this time. But plenty of cows. Now that’s exciting. Well, it was for my dog, Kaya, anyway. She would’ve chased them if she could, but they were on the other side of a fence. Nonetheless, the cows didn’t like the look of her or something, and scampered off (scamper is definitely the appropriate verb here). On the way back from the falls, they were a bit more brave, and didn’t scamper away, but they did watch us (or Kaya) very closely.

Shingle Falls is a very scenic 47 ft. high waterfall. I think it resembles a giant warped spatula. Now ask me why I think a giant spatula is scenic. It is also a waterfall with many names: Shingle, Fairy, Beale, Dry Creek. I have never known a waterfall with so many names. It is a bit steep to get to the pool at the bottom of the falls, but is not too difficult. Unfortunately, Kaya could not get down there. It was just a bit too steep for her. When we were here last 7 years ago, I remember she was able to get down, but I think my wife and I must have carried her down some parts. So anyway, Kaya stayed halfway up the cliff side, while I went down and took photos. She did pretty well with that, but I kept talking to her the whole time saying “stay Kaya”, “it’s all right Kaya”, “I won’t be too much longer Kaya”, “don’t go off chasing cows Kaya”, etc. etc.

There is also a Lower Shingle Falls just downstream from the upper falls. Click here to see a photo of it. Although not as scenic as the upper falls, and not resembling a giant spatula, it is a very impressive 29 ft. high plunge. It is also a bit steep to get down to, but not as bad as the upper falls, and Kaya was able to get down to this one with not too many problems. Though she did moan and complain a bit. She’s getting more cranky in her old age.

Later on in the day, I drove up to Stirling City, north of Paradise. I was trying to hit Big Kimshew Falls there, one I have not yet been to. Unfortunately, there was too much snow there, and the road I needed to get down was closed. I was really not expecting there to be so much snow at that elevation. Bummer. I guess this one will need to wait until spring. But I wish I had known that before I drove all the long way up there.