The day threatened rain, so off we went to look at waterfalls before getting wet.
Our first stop was to see three spectacular waterfalls. With a walking trail, bordering the clear and cool McCloud River, all we connected with a delightful stroll. On a warmer day, we would have been in the swimming hole of the Lower Falls.
I want to mention the town of McCloud, which after some challenges, was finally established in 1897. It had years of prosperity, evident in some of its historic buildings. As we drove through its streets, Steve proclaimed, "It smells like pencils!" I had to agree and while researching I found that P&M Cedar Products bought the mill and guess what?! They produce pencil stock (used to meet 60% of the world's pencil needs). Man, Steve has a killer sense of smell. Interesting, right?
When the 5 Freeway was planned, this picturesque canyon was to be under it. After a lengthy battle, the Falls won.
Hedge Creek Falls is located on the southernmost tip of a pre-Pleistocene lava flow from Mount Shasta. Thousands of years of erosion, mostly from the freezing and thawing of water trapped in cracks on the basaltic face, has resulted in the sheared appearance at the face of the falls. The cave behind the falls is a normal occurrence in thick lava flows and not the result of splashing water. The water in Hedge Creek Falls comes from the massive aquifer resultant of several volcanic occurrences and not from the glaciers found on Mt. Shasta. Although small, Hedge Creek Falls is full of beauty and awe. Its single crest, or lip, is reminiscent of its larger sister, Bridalveil Fall, in Yosemite.
Lunch was in Dunsmuir, a town incorporated in 1909, when the town was already thriving. The newspaper started publishing in 1890, the first bank opened up in 1904, its elementary school opened its doors in 1887, the Masonic lodge was founded in 1889, the volunteer fire company was organized in 1897, and its first electrical plant started operating in 1891–powered by the waters of the Sacramento River. History can be found in some very unassuming places.
The motto is, "Home of the Best Water on Earth" and no where have I seen so many drinking fountains in one little town.
I love the idea of fish hatcheries. All those 'babies' being born who otherwise wouldn't be. I don't like to think about what is going to happen to them, I just like feeding them and seeing them happily frolicking. The residents are trout and your fishing license funds this place.
The Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery (1888) is the oldest operating hatchery west of the Mississippi. It was developed from private ponds by pioneer resident, Justin Sisson. It was opened here by the California Fish and Game Commission because of its ample supply of fresh spring water. I can't help but think the beautiful setting had something to do with it.
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2 comments:
The waterfall pictures are gorgeous! It sure looks like you did A LOT today!!
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We love the trail to McCloud FallS. Glad to see last year's fire didn't reach it. Beautiful.
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