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Wildflower and Waterfall Self-guided Tours in Plumas County, Northern California

 2. The Feather River Canyon: The canyon (as it's referred to by locals)  is one of the most popular scenic driving routes in the state which is located along Highway 70 between Oroville and Quincy,  It's a major portion of the Feather River National Scenic Byway which serves as the lowest elevation east-west passageway through the Sierra Nevada. 

Cascading waterfalls and wildflowers in the spring highlight the canyon's natural beauty - especially showy from April through June with a constantly changing display of wildflower color. 

Early color may be seen in the yellows of the delicate waterfall buttercups and the reds of redbud shrub followed by the delicate white dogwood blossoms.  Later color may be seen in the yellow bush monkey flower hanging from the rock walls and the blues of the shrubby silver lupine.

How to get there: Head north from Oroville up Highway 70 for about 70 miles or so stopping along the way.  Without stopping it's about a 90 minute trip to Quincy  depending on how fast you drive windy roads, but you could spend the whole day exploring. 

What to do:  . From mid-March through May there are  waterfalls oozing out of the rocks with a broad continuum of flowers creeping up the canyon as the spring progresses. 

• What can you see in the canyon from April - May.  Here are a few tantalizing samples but there's much more.

Flowers:

	March		April		May
	Western Redbud		Bush Monkey Flower		Western Wallflower
	Mountain Dogwood		Western Azalea		Indian Rhubarb

Waterfalls:

Certain waterfalls are showy through June but after a wet storm intermittent falls will appear throughout the canyon. Here is a partial list:

• Waterfall near Shady Rest area:  The rest area is about 33 miles past Oroville going north and 4.7 miles past the Four Trees Road sign. Walk directly across the highway to a dirt road, walk up the road for about one-half mile until you get to the waterfall.  There is a narrow trail taking you to the base of the falls. 
• Rock Creek Cascades:  After the tunnel and three miles north of the Plumas County line cross over the North Fork of the Feather River, pull over to the left under the railroad trestle, park there and walk up the road or drive up the road a bit and stop before it goes left.  Take the trail that hugs Rock Creek (not marked) giving you fantastic views of cascading falls along with huge granite rocks for picnicking, reading or just gazing.
• Jackass Falls:  A few miles north of the Rock Creek Cascades pull over at the Tobin Resort on the right side or go past the resort parking at a turnout before the Tobin Bridge.  Look across  the river to see Jackass Falls cascading out the rocks. 
• Chambers Creek Trail Falls:  Three miles up Chambers Creek trail which is 6 1/2  miles south of Belden. 

	Shady Rest Falls		Rock Creek Cascades		Jackass   Falls

Food:  About thirty minutes from Oroville, Scooter's is an unpretentious place near Yankee Hill that serves good home cooking including French fries made daily from real potatoes plus freshly ground beef.  Going further another thirty minutes or so you'll find the Caribou Crossroads Cafe that has terrific milk shakes and burgers. Many Pacific Crest Trail hikers find their way to this cafe. 

Lodging:  The Feather River Canyon is limited in lodging but some recommendations would be the cabin at  Caribou Crossroads (530-283-1384); the Tobin Resort, which has  rustic cabins that you need to reserve (no drop ins) 530-283-2225; and the Pine Aire Resort Motel (530 283-1730) which is about 15 miles from Quincy.  Abundant lodging is available  in the Quincy and the Greenville area. 

Camping:  RV camping in the Feather River Canyon is available all year and  public campgrounds will start opening by April 26.