Feather River Canyon ~ In search of waterfalls

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No matter how many times I've traversed the Feather River Canyon, I find myself being captivated each time by its scenic beauty.   California State Highway 70 east out of Oroville drops you down on the canyon floor where many a mile is traveled parallel to the Feather River.  Viewing the rugged areas of the river scattered with huge boulders that obstruct and release the water flow is as pleasing to the eye as the water managed areas around the hydroelectric power houses.




The scenic Feather River Canyon.  Hwy 70 crosses over the Feather River from one bank to the other several times during the drive.  This was taken where Rock Creek merges.





We spent a leisurely afternoon viewing waterfalls and stopping here and there along the way to soak in the beauty.  The Feather River Canyon is rich in early California history.  Many a miner sought gold along the rivers and creeks during the California Gold Rush.   Seven hydroelectric power houses help with water management and provide power and irrigation to the valley below.

Among the engineering feats of the canyon is the railroad line which snakes along the sides of the steep canyon walls, sometimes dropping close for a bird's eye view of the river. 

Join us as we witness first hand the delicate tenacity of wildflowers still in bloom, try our hand at panning gold, marvel at the beauty of waterfalls both distant and close at hand and watch the Burlington Northern Santa Fe lumber down the tracks.

First stop Pulga.  We ventured down a one lane road and were treated to our first show of wildflowers.  Roadside, this is the point where the Pulga Bridge and train trestle cross over one another.  Probably one of the most photographed spots in the canyon.  I opted for this much less viewed spot of the Pulga 'station'.



Rose campion ~ Lychnis coronariaampion



Penstemon



Feverfew ~ Chrysanthemum parthenium



 Spice Bush ~ Calycanthus

Spice Busy ~Calycanthus



Back up on the highway we headed east up the canyon.  Grizzly Creek merges at the point of Grizzly Dome.  In addition to the tunnel that passes through Grizzly Dome, it is also well known to rock climbers.  We were fortunate this day to come across someone making their way up the face.

Grizzly Creek

As we traveled upstream, the huge boulders strewn about the river presented a very rugged course for the water.  In this area we saw the first of the waterfalls cascading over the bank into the river.

Just beyond this turn out we crossed the river once again to the opposite bank.  This is another of those spots where the train trestle and bridge cross in view of one another.  Looking up towards the mountain tops in this image you can see the fire damage still evident from several years back.

In the vicinity of Tobin we were able to view falls cascading down the mountainsides.  We also tried our hand at gold panning in a small

stream, then later crossed the road and welcomed the cool water rushing

past rapids on the river, once again doing some panning.

Our next stop was the rest stop at the iconic Belden Power House.  We also viewed the EBY Stamp Mill, a piece of early California history.  The Feather River and it's tributaries were the source of millions of dollars of gold extracted by the flush of gold miners that descended on this area during the California Gold Rush of 1848-1855.

Belden Power House

Traveling east up the canyon again we turned off at Caribou and followed the North Fork of the Feather River for a number of miles upstream.  I found the spot below particularly beautiful.  Although dredging is no longer allowed on the river and its tributaries, there are still marked claims along the rivers.  One of the adjacent trees in this photo had a claim tacked to it.

We were treated to a show of wildflowers including the Leopard Lily, a new one for me in the wild. 



Leopard Lily ~ Lily pardalinum

Morning Glory ~ Calystegia

Monardella sheltoni



Indian Paintbrush ~ Castilleja affinis



Bush Monkey Flower ~ Mimulus aurantiancus



 Heading west now towards home, our last stop was Rock Creek.  The powerful force of water cascading down the big boulders was an incredible sight and sound.

 Butterflies were busy working the number of flowering plants around.  I caught this swallowtail on the showy white blossoms of the Bitter Cherry ~Prunus errargenata

Just as we started to leave Rock Creek, we suddenly heard the sound of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe heading west down the tracks being pulled by 4 engines.  I looked up just in time to get my lens to my eye and was able to get several shots of the train moving across the trestle.

We followed alongside the train on the opposite bank down the canyon for some distance.  We had one last waterfall to view and were fortunate to reach our view point before the train.  The water from the fall was illuminated by the late afternoon light.

The train afforded one last photo op to end what was a wonderful day.  Perhaps the most amazing thing of it all was how blessed we are in Chico California to live so close to something so beautiful and yet so accessible. 

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