Chambers Creek Falls

The Feather River Canyon is a remarkable drive in Northern California, complete with tunnels bored through granite, historic railroad bridges, fall colors at the right time of year, and dramatic landscapes. The majority of hiking in and around the canyon occurs near Belden, where the Pacific Crest Trail transitions from the Northern Sierra to the Southern Cascades. Just a few miles south of Belden is a trail to the lightly visited Chambers Creek Falls. From the trailhead, start on the fire road for a few hundred feet and turn off to the right over a small footbridge. This is the trickiest maneuver of the entire trail as there is nowhere else to go but up. The trail maintains a stout grade as you ascend higher over the Feather River Canyon. Hikes during the spring will feature a variety of wildflowers and flowering bushes including lupine, Indian paintbrush, and sticky monkeyflower. The first mile is mostly exposed with little shade, and eventually you enter the flank of a forested area containing ponderosa and sugar pine trees. You may catch the dogwoods flowering in May. You will hear Chambers Creek before you see the bridge that crosses it. At the bridge you can catch a glimpse of several cascades. Scramble around the rocks upstream of the bridge to get a better look at the main drop of Chambers Creek Falls. For those seeking a longer hike, continue up the trail to find interesting rock outcroppings and commanding views of the Feather River Canyon.