North Table Mountain
Ecological Reserve
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Crevice Falls North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve |
March 26, 2018
I still am rather stiff and sore from the ascent of North Butte over at Sutter Buttes just two days ago; but the plan is to ignore those muscles and hope that they won't interfere with today's trek.
There now is a $4.32 entry fee, and it should be more
The route is quite wet right at the start, and hikers have a natural inclination to find a way around the mud. The best approach here, however, is to stay on the trail, where the water never is more than about an inch deep.
The swamp is deeper today than it was a week ago
Water, water everywhere
The flowers are still here as well
When I reach Hollow Falls, I do not tarry; for there is a plan.
The view should be better later on
I continue down Beatson Hollow toward the scheduled cutoff point, where new territory awaits me.
Heartfelt message
Striking off into the unknown
I need to get over this hump ...
... in order to traverse a big empty field
Even though I had read that Coon Falls dries up quickly, I'll check out the place anyway as long as I'm here.
Approaching the gorge
Coon Falls are virtually dry
There is a big cave underneath those falls. That could be an interesting place to visit; but getting there would be quite difficult.
Nice view down Coon Hollow
Right in the top-center of that last picture is North Butte — the one responsible for my sore legs.
Although a brisk breeze is about, I will try to see what my new camera can do with a couple of flower closeups:
Fremont's Tidy Tips
Lesser Hawkbit
Very nice. The fast lens allows me to shoot even in the shade at
1/1000 second, which helps to negate any movement.
Another long stretch to traverse
It is nearly another mile over to the next attraction. Having a map and programmed waypoints makes these hunts a lot easier.
The Western Pacific tracks are less than a mile away
I hear falling water ahead
Finding a good viewpoint is problematical. This is the best that I can manage:
That's quite a crevice, and the falls are in it
I was hoping to see another waterfall here, but there has not been enough rain recently. It will have to wait for another time.
This one is virtually dry
The edge of the sheer cliff is a scary place
First view of the falls
It's mellow enough above the brink
Continuing over the creek to the north end of the crevice, I finally
get the hoped-for view. Oh, my!
This is why I came here
What an unusual thing! Doubtless there are other such places; but I am not familiar with one, and in any event I am here now. And I'll be here for a while, munching grapes and lounging on the soft grass.
The falls are about a hundred feet high altogether
Unlike the moron who leapt over that chasm for a YouTube video, I will walk around the end of the fissure for some more photographs.
Not a typical camera angle for the top of a high waterfall
Life above the falls
The original plan was to detour around by the cliff to Beatson Falls on a presumed trail; but because I'm planning to be back over there next week, I'll just head back from here. Another long haul across another big pasture should get me back to familiar territory.
More ground to cover, more flowers to trample, more cows to terrorize
Wow! The views are just as good from this side of Campbell Creek.
Those Purple Owl's Clover are the same ones of which I was so fond last week.
This is why I go hiking
I need to get down there and find a place to ford the creek
Nine other hikers have just passed by
Looking for a place to cross
This spot looks okay
Making it across without getting my socks wet, nothing can stop me now.
What are those white guys, anyway?
White Meadowfoam
Salad makin's
My lollypop loop finally closes at the base of Hollow Falls. As was hoped, the cataract is spectacular in the afternoon sunlight.
Sublimity
About twenty other people are right here where I am standing. Doubtless, most of them will head straight back to their cars from here.
Climbing above the falls
This garden of eden won't last much longer
Although the last mile back is just a formality, there's always a chance of seeing something new and exciting.
Different strokes
Well, that wasn't very exciting; but it is new.
That big oak is the destination
Fields of Goldfields
Barefoot in the park with her new baby. Why?
The parking lot is full
§: Well, I had a great time visiting a unique place that I didn't
even know existed until just a few days ago. Mission accomplished.
Of course it would, be best to visit the Crevice Falls environs at a time of higher water; but then one probably would have to do more slogging through waterlogged areas in order to reap that reward.
I am scheduled to return again to Table Mountain a week from now, with a couple of friends. Perhaps I'll see you there.
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The dotted line is the recommended route, except after recent heavy rains
