THE PITS
It was my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday celebration, so we all went up north for the weekend. I have not been up there since COVID started. So of course, I wanted to take one day and go hiking. My choice: Pit River Falls. I knew that PG&E was doing a release on the Pit River and the waterfall would be flowing well (1100 cfs). I *needed* to see a waterfall that was flowing well (after my disappointing Yosemite trip).
I was hoping to go an easier way to Pit River Falls this time. A photographer friend mentioned awhile ago that he went up from the powerhouse and I wanted to try going this way. It should be much easier than going down the cliffs. However … I arrived at the powerhouse and found everything gated and fenced off with menacing no trespassing signs. How did my friend go there? I went to the campground, which seems to be the only public access to the river, but I found no route from there. There were a bunch of kayakers camping there (it is a boon for them when the Pit River is flowing and they can go kayaking over the waterfall); surprisingly, one of them was awake, so I asked her (I think she was just using the facilities and wanted to go back to sleep) – but she did not know anything helpful anyway. I spent about an hour trying to figure a way but could not. I am not sure but I think maybe PG&E has closed off access due to COVID. I only say this because I know they have done this at other places. I am not sure about here, but regardless, the No Trespassing signs scared me away.
So now I have wasted an hour and there was just one hour left to get to the waterfall before the sun got on it. My only choice was to go the hard way. It is a short hike, but it is very steep. The first time I did this, I twisted my ankle badly and was out of commission for 6 months. The second time fared better, with no twisty ankles. This would be the third time, and thankfully again, no twisty ankles. I made it down to the falls before the sun and it was roaring. I spent the next 15 minutes scooting around and taking photos from all possible angles, and just really enjoying the beauty and power of the waterfall. It is 33 ft. high but it is very wide, spanning the entire river. It sure beats going to nearby Burney Falls (in my opinion).
I took my time hiking back up the mountain and got back to my mother-in-law’s place by noon. Then the long drive home in the afternoon. I was very tired and went to bed early. Eleven hours of sleep felt so good. It was a marvelous morning at Pit River Falls in northern California.