Sardine Lakes Falls

Sardine Lakes Falls

Sierra County, California

Description

Click to view photo(s)

This is a gorgeous waterfall that pretty much no one knows about (or else they don't talk about it). When I "found" this waterfall I was visiting Upper Sardine Lake for the second time and had a hunch that there was a waterfall here. What I came across was high above my expectations. It is not a huge waterfall by any measure, but the right arm of it is very scenic. Add on the beautiful views from the two Sardine Lakes and you have a pretty nice place to visit. I also expect there to be a waterfall above Upper Sardine Lake, which I'll have to get to at some point. To the best of my knowledge no one else online describes this waterfall.

Location

Sardine Lakes Falls: 39.6134 N, 120.6318 W

USGS Topo: Sierra City

Directions

From Sierra City, drive to Lower Sardine Lake by taking CA-49 northeast ~4.9 miles to the Gold Lakes Highway (turn left). Follow this for ~1.3 miles (be sure to stop at the Sierra Buttes overlook on the way) to Packer Lake Road (turn left). After a further ~0.3 miles stay left to continue on the Sardine Lake Road (~0.5 miles to Lower Sardine Lake). You can park at Lower Sardine Lake or continue on the rough road up to Upper Sardine Lake (4x4 & high clearance recommended). From the Lower Lake the dam at the northeastern end of the Upper Lake is reached after ~0.6 miles. The best view of this waterfall (the right majority of it) is from the northern side of the creek in which I left the road ~0.1 miles before the dam to the east until I came up to the creek (very steep and rocky as it approaches the creek). There are also limited views (of the smaller left arm & heavily vegetated base) available from the southern side of the creek in which you have to cross the dam at the Upper Lake and walk to the NNE and downhill from there.