Peter's list of waterfalls in the SF Bay Area that hardly anyone knows about, from Point Reyes to Henry Coe.
I plan to list only waterfalls than can't be found via sources such as:
They are rarely visited either because there isn't much of a trail leading to them or because they can only be reached at low tides (and aren't as impressive as as some other waterfalls that also require low tides).
- Butano Falls (37.24164, -122.31627)
There are three nearby waterfalls that are collectively called Butano Falls. They are on private property. The landowner doesn't do much to stop people from visiting other than keeping it hard to find, but I suspect I shouldn't publicise how to get there.
First Waterfall:
Third WaterfallL
- Waterfall south of Bolinas Point (37.90197, -122.72048):
The main drop is about 8 to 10 feet high. Reachable at most low tides via Agate Beach County Park, and from the Palomarin trailhead at minus tides. I'd guess that it flows for a week or two after a heavy rain.
- Waterfall just north of Bolinas Point (37.90445, -122.72716):
It's about 20 to 25 feet high. Reachable at most low tides via the Palomarin trailhead, and from Agate Beach County Park at minus tides. I'd guess that it flows for two or three weeks after a heavy rain.
- waterfall in stream south southeast of Deer Park (near Fairfax) (37.97239, -122.58750):
It's about 6 feet high. I'd guess that it flows for two or three weeks after a heavy rain.
- another waterfall a bit further upstream (37.97182, -122.58675):
It's about 6 feet high.
- waterfall north of Daffodil Hill (on the west side of Bald Hill near San Anselmo) (37.96827, -122.58485):
It's about 8 feet high. I'd guess that it flows for a few days after a heavy rain.
The "trail" I take to get to it starts straight up a meadow on the Yolanda trail about a quarter mile north of six points, and gradually turns to traverse south at an elevation of about 200 feet higher than the Yolanda trail.
- waterfall south of Daffodil Hill (37.96535, -122.58436):
It's about 10 feet high. I'd guess that it flows for a few days after a heavy rain.
- There are cryptic references to a waterfall on Big Carson Creek. The closest I've found to something meeting this description is a 12 foot waterslide that doesn't quite meet my notion of a waterfall on a side creek where it enters the main creek nearly due south of where Conifer Fire Rd meets Big Carson Ridge (37.99276, -122.65586). I think it flows for a couple of weeks after a moderate rain.
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waterfall in Henry Coe on the Little Fork Coyote Creek, about 1/3 mile upstream from the lower end of the Middle Ridge Trail (37.18189, -121.51061) (visited April 11, 2009):
It's about 8 to 10 feet high. I reached this waterfall by following the creek upstream from the Middle Ridge Trail, and then headed up Middle Ridge to rejoin the trail where it crossed over to the south side of the ridge more than a mile uphill. Neither route was wise. While scrambling along the side of the creek, I kept telling myself I could continue without getting my feet wet. The terrain kept getting steeper until I eventually had no choice but to get one foot somewhat wet. If I take that route again, I'll plan to wade up the creek. But in a rainy April, the flow would be too strong for that. I'm guessing the sensible route would be from Poverty Flat Road nearly due south of the falls.
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waterfall in Henry Coe just downstream from Kelly Lake (presumably formed when the Kelly Lake dam diverted the stream). (37.12289, -121.42928) (last visited Nov 7, 2009):
It's about 10 to 12 feet high, and hard to see because it faces into bushes.
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waterfall in Henry Coe on the Mississippi Creek, about 100 feet upstream from Bear Springs (37.21946, -121.43511) (visited April 25, 2009):
It's about 10 feet high. It was dry when I saw it. It probably runs for several weeks after a heavy rain. It will be hard to visit when it's actually running. You can get there by a 15 mile hike on a backcountry weekend, when it might be running in a wetter than average spring. Or you can do it as a 24 mile hike from the main entrance, but when the waterfall is running nicely that will involve some unpleasant stream crossings.
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There appear to be several waterfalls in Nisene Marks on tiny side creeks flowing into Bridge Creek.
I suspect they run for about a week after a heavy rain.
The locations given are guesses based on maps - gps reception was too poor to be of any use.
Just downstream from Maple Falls (37.047789,-121.89379) (visited October 17, 2009):
It's about 28 feet high.
Toward the southern end of the Bridge Creek Trail (37.031655,-121.9022) (visited October 17, 2009):
It's about 15 feet high. There appears to be at least one more waterfall on this creek below the trail, but I haven't gotten a view there.
Last updated 2009-12-07.