McCloud River Falls

McCloud River, Middle Falls, framed by two redwoods.

We camped this weekend at Fowler Campground in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest near McCloud, California. The McCloud River runs along side the campground and there are miles of trail along the river. There are three magnificent sets of falls on the McCloud River.

Upper Falls. These falls are the set farthest up the river.

Middle Falls from above the falls. The Middle Falls are the widest of the three.

Here are the Middle Falls taken from the stream below the falls.

The Lower Falls. The Lower Falls mark the furthest point that the salmon original travelled up the McCloud River from the sea. Unfortunately, now Lake Shasta prevents salmon from entering the McCloud river.

However, the McCloud river is one of the finest trout rivers in the country. Here is a large Rainbow trout my son somehow photographed. He simply saw this fish while wading through the pools below the Lower Falls. Amazing.

The McCloud River is special for trout as large Rainbow range from Lake Shasta to the Lower Falls and smaller native Redband trout can be found above the Upper Falls. The McCloud Rainbow trout is "the most celebrated trout on the planet" and has been stocked all around the world - supposedly every continent. Countries mentioned include Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, Australia, and England. (source - History of the McCloud River Rainbow Trout, Jack Trout, 2016)

McCloud River, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, near McCloud, California. August 2018. All photos original.