Mid Sierra Musings: Hike To Stevenson Creek Falls May 2019

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Hike To Stevenson Creek Falls May 2019

Dale Matson

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Stevenson Creek Falls

For the particulars on this hike, see my previous posting here:

https://midsierramusing.blogspot.com/2017/04/hike-to-stevenson-creek-falls-on.html?showComment=1558182829072#c1502028574724793437

When you come to a fork on the Jose Basin Road, there will only be a sign that has Jose Basin Road bearing right. The unsigned road bearing left is Italian Bar Road.

We had an excellent cool and sunny start to our hike along the U.S. Forest Service Road known as the Million Dollar Mile road. The initial climb is civilized since the road was once a railroad bed. This road is closed to civilian traffic but can be walked and biked.

There is about 420’ of gain outbound but the return is not as severe a climb on tired legs. Be careful of the Poison Oak on both sides of the road! The first creek crossing early on is Jose Creek which flows into the San Joaquin River below. As you walk the nearly four miles toward Stevenson Creek Falls along and above the San Joaquin River, you will be walking the section of the river between Mammoth Pool reservoir above and Redinger Lake below. There is a trickle “waterfall” on the right outbound for water resupply if you have a way to treat or purify it before you get to the falls.

We were amazed at the overwhelming flow of Stevenson Creek Falls when we arrived. The flow rate is based on the release rate from the dam at Shaver Lake. You could barely see the bridge and we certainly were not going to attempt crossing the bridge this year (Compare it to the previous posting). A service vehicle for SoCal Edison carefully and cautiously crossed it and disappeared until it reappeared on the other side of the bridge.

While we were walking the route two Golden Eagles flew past us above the river. I was set for landscape with the Sony A7R3 and the 16-35 2.8 GM lens so there were not bird photos.