American River Wildlife News
On Foot: Back on track to Codfish Falls on the American River
Fishy, like we missed the trail by crossing the river to the south side. After poking along a rocky shelf and piles of tailings all morning, reality dawned at about lunchtime that we were on the wrong side of the river.
Our sense of adventure kept us going as we explored the un-trail for a couple of hours. Around 1 p.m., we headed back to the bridge that takes cars across the river at Ponderosa Way.
Our ankles tender and our feet sore from hiking over the rocks, we took a quick break at the car before heading down the real Codfish Falls Trail on the north side of the bridge. It was a late winter day, but warm enough. The wildflowers were blooming with every step we took.
About 20 yards down from the gate, there was a box for trail guides, but it was empty. There are about 20 markers on the trail that correspond to the guide. In most cases, we guessed what the markers might be: Manzanita, ponderosa pine, Toyon, etc.
The trail parallels the river for about 1.3 miles until it turns north and follows a canyon for two-tenths of a mile to the 40-foot falls.
This trail offers some great scenery along the river, is fairly flat gaining only about 125 feet in elevation as it climbs to the falls viewing area.
More at the Chico Enterprise.