Fall is fleeing fast from the mountains of far Northern California, although it remains in full flourish in the Sacramento Valley, Bay Area, and the low foothills. Just over a week ago my golden retriever Molly and I made our way to Sims Flat on the Upper Sacramento River to relax and take some autumn foliage photographs.
Sims Flat is one of my favorite spots in my neck of the woods. A half-mile trail loops around the campground (which usually has spaces available) and there’s such a variety to see: the Upper Sacramento River is always mesmerizing, Hazel Creek runs swiftly year-round, and the entire Sims Flat area has great historical interest.
Some history: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a Depression-era camp here in the 1930s, and they built a sturdy bridge across the Upper Sacramento River that gives great views of the water rushing below. Around the turn of the twentieth century, a lumber mill was situated here at Sims Flat.
Summer swimming holes abound both up and downstream. (Read about my Sims Flat summer swimming adventure here.) You can cross to the west side of the river and follow the railroad tracks in either direction; look for small paths down to the water. And this entire stretch of the Upper Sacramento River attracts people who love to fish for trout. (Check out Tom Chandler’s Trout Underground for the full skinny on trout fishing in Siskiyou County, Shasta County, and beyond.)
Sims Flat makes a great place to stretch your legs and take a nature break when you’re traveling Interstate 5 north of Redding. You want the Sims Road exit (Exit 718) about 40 miles north of Redding and 20 miles south of the town of Mount Shasta. Follow the road east and then south, and park in the lot at the Sims Flat Campground entrance on the south (downstream) side of the bridge over the Upper Sacramento River.
Now here are those Sims Flat/Upper Sacramento River photos:
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
John,
Nice photos of Sims Flat and the upper Sacto River.
e
Twitter: @TheJohnSoares
Thanks Eric. It was a good day for photography with little wind and of course the gorgeous colors in the leaves.