Kenebec Creek Falls

Kenebec Creek holds at least five significant waterfalls as it makes an earnest effort to join the South Yuba River. However, every one of these requires an off-trail jaunt and/or scramble and are therefore not recommended (except maybe the second). The second waterfall is the easiest to get to. Of the five, I enjoyed the fifth the most, which is just upstream of the creek's confluence with the river. The first (that I visited) waterfall is split into an upper tier and lower tier, which together is probably over 100 feet tall. The second waterfall is located just upstream from the South Yuba River Trail footbridge and also consists of a couple of drops. The first is a shorter and wider step-fall and the second is a skinnier sliding cascade. Together, the second waterfall is probably around 40 feet tall. The third waterfall is a wide, stepping waterfall that is probably around 20-25 feet tall. The fourth waterfall is split into three sections. The creek first stair-steps and splits around a large rock before momentarily relaxing in a small pool, then changes direction and falls to the southeast before turning more to the south-southeast and flattening out a little before plunging over the fifth waterfall. In all, the fourth waterfall is probably around 75 feet tall. The fifth waterfall is split into two sections. The first section splits around a large rock with the left side plunging down first and then stair-stepping down to a pool and the right side stair-stepping the entire way down to the pool. After the pool, the second section elegantly stair-steps its way down in a wider fashion to a larger pool. In all, this waterfall is probably around 50-60 feet tall. There is also a waterfall just upstream from the third waterfall, but I didn't take a picture of it. Also, there is a really nice waterfall coming in from a tributary upstream of the third waterfall but I didn't have the energy to climb back down to it from the South Yuba Trail (where I spotted it). This waterfall looked like it split into three skinny strands as it plummeted into Kenebec Creek and is probably located near 39.3375 N, 120.9697 W. I'm sure there are also more waterfalls (maybe not as tall) along Kenebec Creek between the second and third waterfalls and maybe even between the first and second.

Location

Kenebec Creek Falls #1: 39.3449 N, 120.9677 W

Kenebec Creek Falls #2: 39.3420 N, 120.9683 W

Kenebec Creek Falls #3: 39.3362 N, 120.9695 W

Kenebec Creek Falls #4: 39.3360 N, 120.9694 W

Kenebec Creek Falls #5: 39.3356 N, 120.9692 W

USGS Topo: North Bloomfield

Directions

From the CA-20/49 intersection on the northern end of Nevada City, take CA-49 northwest for ~0.1 miles and turn right onto Coyote Street. Follow this for ~0.5 miles and turn right onto North Bloomfield Road. Follow North Bloomfield Road for ~8.7 miles (cross South Yuba River at ~6.3 miles) and park off the north side of the road where a dirt road comes in. Directly across North Bloomfield Road from here is an old road that leads into the woods to the southwest. This old road will serve as the trail until it intersects with the South Yuba Trail (you could also start from the South Yuba Trailhead). To reach the first waterfall you'll need to leave the road and scramble downhill towards it. The coordinates provided above are for the top of this waterfall. There is also a lower section to the first waterfall that requires more downhill scrambling. To get to the second waterfall you could (1) continue following the eastern side of the creek down or (2) climb back up to the old road, follow it downhill to the intersection with the South Yuba Trail, follow the South Yuba Trail down to the footbridge to the northwest, and follow the creek to the north. The third waterfall requires a steep off-trail descent to reach. To get to it, follow the South Yuba Trail down towards the river (stay right at intersection with trail that leads towards Humbug Creek). When you are directly east of the waterfall, find a decent place to start heading down to the west. An alternative would be to go all the way down to the river (on trail), walk to the fifth waterfall (off-trail) and climb up passed the fourth. If you are at the third waterfall you can follow the creek down (very carefully) to the fourth or follow the Yuba River Trail all the way down to the river and then follow the river west (off-trail) to where the creek enters the river and climb up passed the fifth waterfall. If you are at the fourth waterfall, the fifth waterfall is just downstream from it but requires a steep climb down. The alternative is to do what I mentioned as alternatives for the third and fourth waterfalls.

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