Just under two hours south of Redding is a most beautiful hiking area where wildflowers and waterfalls abound: Table Mountain. Once a flat-topped butte formed by successive massive lava flows that originated south of Susanville in the Diamond Mountains, this area now features canyons and ephemeral streams. Table Mountain’s streams are short lived because this eroded butte is higher than the surrounding lands. If you want to see the waterfalls, be sure to hike this area well before June arrives—especially during dry years like this one!
Table Mountain is managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Each visitor who is sixteen years old or older should have a pass (currently $4.89), which can be purchased online before one’s visit.
Until this year, there was no signage so navigating to the various waterfalls was a real adventure. Now, signs direct visitors to the various waterfalls, including Hollow Falls (the closest falls to the parking lot), Ravine Falls, Phantom Falls, and Beatson Falls. In addition, a newly finished loop trail, which is about eight miles in length, takes you to all of these waterfalls and others, too. Don’t want to hike that far? The roundtrip hike to Phantom Falls is approximately 4.25 miles and includes a visit to the bottom of Ravine Falls.
Table Mountain has been discovered by the general public! I do not recommend visiting it on a Saturday or Sunday. David Ledger, Bob Madison, and I co-led a hike sponsored by the Shasta Land Trust on March 23 of this year and encountered hundreds of people on the Table Mountain trails. Cars were parked along both sides of the road for more than a quarter of a mile, both north and south of the small parking lot!
Flowers we saw included the rusty popcornflower, bird’s-eye gilia, both frying pan and foothill poppies, purple owl-clover, dwarf stonecrop, both Kellogg’s and seep monkeyflowers, Cascade onion, twining snakelily, bitterroot, goldfields, the white globe-lily, and many others.
Driving directions are readily available on the internet. I highly recommend going by way of the historic town of Cherokee. Its fascinating history is nicely summarized on a roadside plaque in the middle of town. Also highly recommended is the book Wildflowers of Table Mountain, co-authored by Albin Bills and Samantha Mackey. It not only explains the geology of this special place but tells you about the myriad of flowers (complete with beautiful photographs), as well as when the various species are likely to be in bloom.
I would rate this hike as moderately difficult because of rocky surfaces, shallow streams that require rock hopping to stay dry, and muddy areas that make for slippery conditions. The terrain is far from level with descents into ravines, which, of course, are followed by steep climbs. Hiking poles and sturdy boots are very helpful. It can be uncomfortably warm on some days so carry plenty of water.
It’s too late to see most of Table Mountain’s beautiful flowers and waterfalls this year, but come next March and early April there will be another glorious display to witness! ~Chris Harvey
Here is a slideshow of just some of the species that Chris, Dave, and Bob saw on vibrant display on Table Mountain. All photos by Chris Harvey. Enjoy!
