Battle Creek, Roaring and Lion Slide Falls hikes

On our way to Battle Creek, we stopped at the old Parkville Cemetary on the small Parkville Road from Palo Cedro towards Anderson.

We wandered around looking at the old headstones and flowers.

Some poppies by the side of the road to Battle Creek.

We wanted to hike this part of the Battle Creek park when the wildflowers were fully in bloom.

The weather was perfect and we had a great picnic on the bridge over the aquaduct.

The parking area and gate is just West of the old bridge and the river.

The concrete slab bridge over the aquaduct provided a great spot for the picnic lunch!

I found the water quite refreshing...

The water comes out of the river near the state hatchery and continues along the hillsides and roadway for several miles to a large pond. We saw several of these large bird houses along the water.

Remains of an old shed or barn.

Heading up the hill.

Mary stalking the butterflies at the top.

More ponds off to the southwest.

The aquaduct perfoms some amazing doglegs to keep to the right levels.

We drove up Hwy 299 on Sunday to hike a couple of falls. The first one is up Cove road, down a gated road, then through the brush and poison oak to the falls.

Some nice ranches on Cove Road.

Unloading at the locked gate.

Looking for the path down to the falls -- and butterflies, of course!

The redbud was specatcular.

Lenny and I bushwacked through the steep hillsides, willow, wild grape and everpresent poison oak to reach the creek.

Water plants in the roaring creek.

First view of the falls.

Did I mention the hillside was STEEP?

Better view of the falls from the path -- which we missed on the way down.

Large pipes mark the path location from the road.

Mary spots an interesting blue flower.

Lions Slide Falls is quite close to the road, but must be really refreshing during the summer heat.

The view from up the hillside - falls must be reached by wading most of the year.