Federal Falls

Federal Falls

Sierra County, California

Description

Click to view photo(s)

This waterfall can be found along Pauley Creek near Downieville. It is located ~2.0 miles upstream of Pauley Falls and immediately downstream of a large log spanning the creek. There is a steep trail that leads down to the falls, but there is a mining claim here so be respectful of the building immediately north of the falls. This waterfall is similar in height to Pauley Falls, but is not as wide. If you're looking for a little seclusion, there will definitely be less people here than at Pauley Falls, except during periods of warm weather and higher flows when kayakers are common along the creek. There is an unconfirmed third waterfall between Federal and Pauley referred to as "Slip & Slide", "Slip & Flip", or "Split Falls" by kayakers.

Location

Federal Falls: 39.5867 N, 120.8060 W

USGS Topo: Downieville

Directions

From the CA-49/Main Street intersection in Downieville, follow Main St to the east for ~0.8 miles to the bridge over the Downie River (stay right at Oxford Mine Rd & Gold Bluff Rd intersections). Continue following Lavazzola Road (Co Route S514) to the north and northeast for ~1.7 miles (stay right after passing by the Pauley Falls parking area). Park on the southern side of the road where there is a large pullout on a curve. Find the steep trail leaving the road to the southeast. Very shortly you should come up to a couple of mining claim signs posted on a tree. Here, the trail turns to the left (north) and continues descending before turning again to the right (southeast) and descending to the log-bridge just upstream from the waterfall. When I was here, there were some remains of some sort of building (storage?) at the right turn. From the log-bridge, I walked to the southwest to a viewpoint just west of the waterfall (be careful if you go this way, because of the steep edge).

Video