Leon Turnbull Photography

Ash Creek Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls dropping off majestic Mt. Shasta. It is approximately 330 feet high, and an amazing sight especially with the mountain as a backdrop. Getting to the waterfall, though, is no picnic.

I knew of a couple possible different routes to the waterfall, neither of them very easy. I was looking for an easier route, and I thought I had found one. Indeed, via my new route, it seemed that I could drive to within a mile of the falls, then make an easy trek up the ridge to the viewpoint. I had everything mapped out and ready to go. I made the long drive up from Red Bluff and got to my road, upon which I found that the road was blocked by a fallen tree. Doh! Oh man, did I drive all the way up here for nothing? I got out my maps again, looking for another route. And I found one. This road would take me within a couple miles of the falls. But again, as I got to the road, I found it blocked by more fallen trees. Doh again! Well, as it was, I was within 3 miles from the falls already. What if I just walked up this road to its end, then try to make my way up the canyon to the falls? Time was running out in the day if I wanted to get there and back before dark, but I figured I would have enough time to do it. Maybe.

The first part was easy. Just walk up the logging road to its end. After that, things got a bit tricky. It was not particularly difficult to hike through the forest, up the ridge alongside Ash Creek Canyon. But there were no trails, and it took some time trouncing through the forest. But I was making pretty good time nonetheless. Then I came to what seemed like a dead end. The canyon walls came to a convergence on the elevation level that I was on. In order to continue, I would have to climb up a very steep ridge to get onto the next level above me. However, I thought I had run out of time, and I seriously considered turning back as it was getting rather late in the day. But I decided to give it a try. I had 30 minutes to get up this ridge and over to the falls before I figured I should turn around. Getting up the ridge was steep, but it was not as difficult as I anticipated, and once at the top, it was less than a mile of semi-easy trekking to get to the viewpoint. So I made it. And I was very pleased that I made it. It is certainly a magnificent waterfall, even from such a distance away. If I had more time, I think I could have gotten a lot closer to the waterfall, and I also would have liked to stay here for sunset. But I sure did not want to hike back down through the forest in the dark by myself. So I quickly took my pictures, then retreated back down to the car, arriving just before dark.

Here is a closeup shot of the falls with my 100-400mm lens.