So I decided to go for a drive and get out of the house yesterday. Upper and Lower Deer Creek Falls is a nice spot and they are close to Chico, so while the photos aren't anything exciting I thought I'd share some information. More pictures and general info after the jump:
From Chico, head north up Hwy 32 for about 42 miles. The easiest way to find them is to look for Potato Patch Campground, it's impossible to miss. Lower Deer Creek Falls is pictured above. To reach this one, head back down Hwy 32 for about 1.5 miles until you see the bridge crossing the creek. Park on the left side BEFORE the bridge and the trail head is on the other side of the road next to the bridge. It's an easy 3.5 mile hike round-trip, with lots of places to stop and swim or fish for trout along the way. The lower falls is a nice place to spend a hot day, swimming and relaxing. Time it right and you can watch salmon jumping up the ladder and occasionally failing to jump up the waterfall.
Deer Creek Falls is also close by and worth checking out while you are here, as it's right off the road about 1.7 miles north of the campground. We hit this one first yesterday so as not to have to back-track on Hwy 32. Yes, I'm slightly neurotic.
This is a great spot for fall colors, so plan those trips during the next couple of months but don't plan on swimming. I am pretty sure I got hypothermia yesterday and almost lost a finger. It's COLD.
