OK, so it hasn’t been a wet year. Nevertheless, waterfalls near Redding are still flowing, delectable swimming holes await, and you and your dog are in for some scenic treats whether you make a waterfall pit-stop or take a hike. Start, perhaps, at Hedge Creek Falls in Dunsmuir. It’s right off Interstate 5 via a short path, has a generous parking lot, a viewing platform and a cave beneath the cascade for sensory thrill (your dog may or may not want to follow you behind the water curtain).
For a longer outing, head to the McCloud River Falls. There are three levels, Lower, Upper and Middle, each with a different look and feel. The Middle fall is the most impressive, with a 44-foot drop and scenic setting. The trio can be seen on a 3.8-mile round-trip hike. If time is short, the hike from Middle to Upper only takes about five minutes. Bring a swimsuit, as the river boasts some of the best swimming holes in California.
Don’t miss the tiny town of McCloud, a former lumber center on the southern slope of Mount Shasta. Just walking down the main drag and scoping out the dog-friendly, circa 1915 McCloud Hotel, will feel like time travel. Hop back on Interstate 5 and you’ll be back in Redding in an hour.
