Leon Turnbull Photography

The North Fork American River, near Weimar CA. This river ranks by far as my most favourite river that I have yet seen. It is so beautiful, so pristine. Now at this location, the river is very calm and it has very easy access. You can’t really appreciate its true beauty. And yet, it is still incredibly green and picturesque. I did not over saturate the colors in this photo. It really was this green and lush.

But at most spots upriver from here, the access is difficult at best. Only the hardiest hikers and kayakers enter its 2000-4000 ft. canyon walls, and truly experience the amazing ruggedness, pristineness, cold, green rushing waters, and amazing waterfalls that abound along this incredible river for some 60 miles. Tributary creeks, swollen with snow melt, crash down cliffs in amazing waterfalls, some over 500 ft. high. One of those is 2200 ft. high, the 2nd highest in all of California, and you probably haven’t even heard of it. Many of these waterfalls are too difficult to reach because of the ruggedness and steepness of the canyon. I have been to some, but not all of them. I do love it there.

This shot was taken near Codfish Creek Falls, on my hike a couple weekends ago. After visiting the falls, I still had time before I had to retreat back up the trail, so I stopped by my favourite river to see how it was looking that day. I am glad I did.