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Feather Falls, Plumas National Forest CA

• 4-star hike
• 7 mile loop
• Moderate | Gain 1,100 feet
• Quincy, CA | Plumas Region
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The image shows a scenic landscape featuring a waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff surrounded by lush green vegetation. The sky above is bright blue with scattered white clouds, adding to the picturesque nature of the scene. The waterfall is the central focus, with the water appearing to flow powerfully over the edge of the cliff. The surrounding area is densely forested with various trees and shrubs, contributing to the natural beauty of the location.

Standing at the observation platform of Feather Falls offers an awe-inspiring experience—gazing directly down a 640-foot cascade as water plummets over sheer granite to the valley below. This spectacular waterfall, one of the tallest in the United States, rewards hikers who venture through Plumas National Forest on the Feather Falls National Scenic Trail loop.

The main trail leads to a sturdy observation platform providing panoramic views of the thundering waterfall. For more adventurous visitors, an additional short trail leads to the very precipice of the falls, offering an even more dramatic perspective. Safety fencing exists at viewpoints, but visitors should exercise extreme caution—several fatalities have occurred when hikers ventured into the stream and were swept over the edge.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Feather Falls Trail 7.4 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,100 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

P Free parking

The 2021 Dixie Fire dramatically transformed this landscape. What was once a dense, shaded forest journey now reveals a stark, recovering ecosystem. Despite this devastation, the Forest Service completed comprehensive trail restoration in 2024, rebuilding bridges and observation platforms to safely reopen the area to visitors.

The lower section of the loop features interpretive elements highlighting the area's cultural significance. Ancient bowl-shaped depressions in the rock, created by Maidu Indians over a millennium ago, served as mortars for grinding acorns. The trail also showcases impressive views of Bald Rock Dome (called "Earth-Maker" by the Maidu), a formation reminiscent of Yosemite's Half Dome that rises 2,000 feet above the Middle Fork Feather River.

While the falls remain impressive year-round, spring visits coincide with peak snowmelt, when the waterfall reaches its most powerful state. This season also brings a spectacular display of diverse wildflowers blooming along the entire route, adding vibrant color to the recovering landscape.

The image shows a scenic view from a wooden observation deck overlooking a lush, green valley with a river running through it. The valley is surrounded by densely forested hills and mountains, creating a picturesque and tranquil natural landscape. The observation deck is constructed with wooden beams and railings, providing a safe vantage point for viewers to enjoy the stunning scenery.

Looking back along the Middle Fork Feather River canyon.

The image is a side-by-side comparison of two scenes. The left side shows two people standing on a rocky outcrop that is fenced off for safety, overlooking a deep valley with forested mountains in the background. The right side shows a waterfall cascading down a rocky cliff with lush greenery surrounding it. A rainbow is visible at the base of the waterfall, adding a picturesque element to the scene.

Looking out from the falls. | Longer Feather Falls view.

Tangents:
• Official: Forest Service
• AllTrails Public: Feather Falls Trail
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