Hike to Caples Creek Waterfall

This is a loop hike which will start and end at the Kirkwood Inn, Kirkwood, CA; and is a repeat of the hike we did last summer. We will first hike to Lake Kirkwood, and then skirt around the lake, passing the cabins and campground. We then continue with a little scrambling, to get down to the Caples Waterfall on Caples Creek (visible from Hwy 88’s Carson Spur Overlook). After checking-out the waterfall, we will hike up Caples Creek until we hit the Kirkwood Creek Trail, and follow it to return to the Kirkwood Inn. We will stop for a lunch break along Caples Creek. This is a moderate 4+ mile loop hike, following a mixture of established trails, fishing trails, and with a little scrambling thrown in. This hike involves a 500-foot elevation change. At the finish, for those with extra energy, there will be an optional hike to Kirkwood’s Ice Cave Chasm. This would add 1/2-mile round trip and a 200-foot climb.

We meet at 9:30 AM, at the dirt parking area on the East side of the Kirkwood Inn (Kirkwood Cross Country Center) on Hwy 88. There are no open rest rooms at the trail head, but there are ones we will pass at the Lake Kirkwood campground. As parts of this hike are through areas burned in the Caldor Fire, the hike will be canceled if high winds are forecasted. Bring the usual - Hiking shoes, bug repellent, sunscreen, lunch, water, a contagious cheerful attitude, etc. Good dogs on leash are welcome, but may require a little help on the short scrambling sections.