Whitney Falls

Siskiyou County, California

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Siskiyou County, California
Access status: Partial guide: unmaintained, faint route; current trail and road condition unknown
The walk: About 3.2 miles return
Ground & access: Unmaintained, faint and overgrown route with steep, loose creek-channel crossings, brush and cairns. Debris flows can change the ground. Navigation skills needed.

Hike Mt. Shasta describes crossing the eroded Bolam Creek channel at the trailhead, following a faint, cairned use trail south along Bolam Creek, crossing the creek again, then climbing through manzanita onto the divide. At a very faint junction, take the right fork through trees to a sandy bench overlooking Whitney Falls. The Forest Service ended maintenance after debris flows; the route is faint, overgrown and confusing in places.

Plan your visit

Whitney Falls Trailhead at the end of Forest Road 43N21 (Bolam Road) to the Whitney Falls overlook

Hike Mt. Shasta gives 3.2 miles total distance and 800 feet of gain. Not measured here; route variations change the distance.

Unmaintained, faint and overgrown route with steep, loose creek-channel crossings, brush and cairns. Debris flows can change the ground. Navigation skills needed.

Where to start

Small trailhead at the end of Forest Road 43N21 with room for about two cars, per Hike Mt. Shasta. The road is rough; Hike Mt. Shasta says it almost demands high clearance.

Timing & water

Spring through fall. The falls flow unpredictably; the Forest Service says the creek usually flows only in midsummer.

Before you go

A Forest Service handout says wilderness permits are required to enter the Mount Shasta Wilderness, which the route enters. Fee for this trailhead not stated in the reviewed sources.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore California

Waterfall location

Siskiyou County, California.

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