Potem Falls
Shasta County, California
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Shasta County, California
- Access status
- Published trail route and trailhead; dirt road; unsigned pullout
- The walk
- Approximately 0.6 mile return
- Ground & access
- Moderate descent of 0.3 mile with about 140 feet to climb back out. Large cold pool at the base; rock jumping is risky. Leashed dogs allowed per Northern California Hiking Trails.
From Highway 299 between Round Mountain and Montgomery Creek, turn onto Fenders Ferry Road (Forest Road 34N17, also called Road 27). It is paved for 3.5 miles, then dirt. Cross the Pit River bridge at 8.8 miles and watch for the unsigned trailhead pullout on the left 0.6 mile past the bridge. The trail descends through oak, fir and pine with three switchbacks to the pool at the base of the 70-foot falls. Return uphill the same way.
Plan your visit
Unsigned pullout on Fenders Ferry Road to the base of Potem Falls
John Soares of Northern California Hiking Trails gives 0.6 mile round trip, descending 0.3 mile to the base. Active NorCal calls it a quarter-mile hike. The 9.4 miles from Highway 299 is driving distance to the trailhead, not walking.
Moderate descent of 0.3 mile with about 140 feet to climb back out. Large cold pool at the base; rock jumping is risky. Leashed dogs allowed per Northern California Hiking Trails.
Where to start
Pullout on the left side of Fenders Ferry Road, 9.4 road miles from Highway 299; the trailhead is not signed. Active NorCal says the dirt road is passable in most passenger cars.
Timing & water
Listed as year-round. Flow is strongest in winter and spring after rain; swimming is best late spring to early fall. Current road condition not verified.
Before you go
Northern California Hiking Trails says no permit is needed. No fee was found in the reviewed sources.
Visitor informationVisit sources
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