McCloud River Falls

5/10/22  On recommendation from a local ranger, we hike the McCloud River Falls Trail at the base of Mt. Shasta. It did not disappoint!
IMG_8441 Lower McCloud Falls. Not too tall, but lots of water, and a great way to start the trail.
Lower McCloud Falls. Not too tall, but lots of water, and a great way to start the trail.
IMG_8445 Beautiful single track along the McCloud River.
Beautiful single track along the McCloud River.
IMG_1828 Next it's on to Middle Falls.
Next it's on to Middle Falls.
IMG_8447 Classic Pacific Northwest. Roaring cascades flowing through old growth forest.
Classic Pacific Northwest. Roaring cascades flowing through old growth forest.
IMG_8454 Middle McCloud Falls. Unquestionably one of the more picturesque falls I've encountered. Though not huge, it is absolutely postcard perfect.
Middle McCloud Falls. Unquestionably one of the more picturesque falls I've encountered. Though not huge, it is absolutely postcard perfect.
IMG_8461 I scramble over some rocks to get a closer view.
I scramble over some rocks to get a closer view.
IMG_8457 Video of the falls.
Video of the falls.
IMG_0141 Dad's photo of me scrambling out for a closer view.
Dad's photo of me scrambling out for a closer view.
IMG_8476 Time to head onwards to the upper falls.
Time to head onwards to the upper falls.
IMG_8488 Looking down on Middle Falls.
Looking down on Middle Falls.
IMG_8487 Video from above. With epic views like this, this trail would be overrun if it were closer to a major population center.
Video from above. With epic views like this, this trail would be overrun if it were closer to a major population center.
IMG_8491 Upper McCloud Falls. The middle falls is definitely the showcase, but upper is nice as well.
Upper McCloud Falls. The middle falls is definitely the showcase, but upper is nice as well.
IMG_8493 Video of Upper Falls.
Video of Upper Falls.
IMG_8499 Hanging out for lunch above Upper Falls.
Hanging out for lunch above Upper Falls.
IMG_8503 Beautiful scenery.
Beautiful scenery.
IMG_8507 On the way back now. A little different lighting on top of Middle Falls.
On the way back now. A little different lighting on top of Middle Falls.
IMG_8510 One last view of Middle Falls. I could sit here all day.
One last view of Middle Falls. I could sit here all day.
IMG_8520 A deer in the parking lot as we head out. I don't think we could have picked a better hike for getting a quick sample of the Shasta area.
A deer in the parking lot as we head out. I don't think we could have picked a better hike for getting a quick sample of the Shasta area.