Lower McCloud River Falls Overlook - off Calif. Hwy 89 - Scenic Roadside Look-Outs on Waymarking.com

Lower McCloud River Falls is located on the McCloud River at an elevation of about 3220 feet where it spills over a ledge of basalt. The falls is about 12 feet high with a deep plunge pool, which is frequently used for swimming. During spring flows the river is wide and spills over a wide area into the plunge pool, but during the fall the river is restricted to a narrow channel.
There is an interpretive sign, parking area and picnic area near the falls and a short trail leads to overlook.

Text sign at viewpoint:
The beauty and nourishment of Lower Falls has always drawn people . . .
The Native People of the McCloud River depended upon the river’s bounty for survival. The Winnemem (McCloud River) Wintu Tribe lived, fished, and hunted around Lower Falls.
Norel-putis, a Wintu Elder, speaks of a village site here with ten houses and a chief from the Pit River Tribe. The Village people were Winnemem Wintu, Pit River, and Shasta.
The Winnemem Wintu name for Lower Falls is Nurunwitipom . . . (falls where the salmon turn back).
Many of us love to look at the river and its waterfalls. The river’s sounds seem to ease our cares and worries and lift our spirits. So, whether you come to fish, swim, watch wildlife, hike, picnic, photograph, paint, or just sit and relax . . . let the river work its magic on you!
The river offered water, protection and food for the Winnemem Wintu. They thrived on the rich supply of salmon and other fish. In 1874, a traveler reported . . . “a party of six Indians on McCloud’s Fork, speared over 500 salmon in one night!” The Winnemem Wintu also enjoyed acorns, pine nuts, wild onions, wild plums, chokecherries, mushrooms, elderberries, currants, watercress, and wild tubers.
Present day Winnemem Wintu people are still very connected to the River . . . “It is our life blood that flows from the mountain down to the people below”. . . Mark Franco, Headman, Winnemem Wintu Tribe.
A Wintu poet shares their reverence for the river, “Of all fair rivers I have known, no fairer waters than thine own” . . . Alfred Gillis, 1924. Many descendants of the McCloud Winnemem Wintu live in Redding, California.
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s people fished for salmon and trout. The McCloud River was known for its unrivaled scenic beauty and abundant supply of fish.

Describe - Highway or Road number: Calif. Hwy. 89 Closest town or city: McCloud, California Number of parking spots available: 20 Winter View: yes Summer View: yes Year around access ?: no Comfort station on site: yes Is a photo of an "Information Sign"included?: Yes Name if a website describes this location.: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   02/18/2024 saopaulo1 visited it 02/18/2024 saopaulo1 visited it 05/28/2013 sbcamper visited it 09/23/2012 Volcanoguy visited it

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