Caramba falls

[m3talibkweli]

Greetings,
I was wondering if anyone knows if there is water down towards caramba outlook this time of year? Ive seen Trip Reports and pictures of a decent sized pool and falls. I would really like to check these places out. Are the pools along the trail?

Thanks!

Andrew

[Hikin_Jim]

Andrew, there's typically water there all year long. That's far enough down the drainage that enough water is funneled there to keep things flowing.

The three pools at Caramaba:


HJ

[m3talibkweli]

Hikin Jim you the man! thanks for the info and pictures!
Edit: by the way im the dude that hikes with Danny (WILD). Im the on with the pack you were asking about! haha

[zippetydude]

Hey, didn't we meet at the Mill Creek Ranger Station when you guys were about to do the 9 Peaks?

z

[Wild]

That's right Steve!

[m3talibkweli]

Hey, didn't we meet at the Mill Creek Ranger Station when you guys were about to do the 9 Peaks?

z

Z, Yes sir, It was great meeting you, did you end up running up there that weekend?

[Hikin_Jim]

Hikin Jim you the man! thanks for the info and pictures!
Edit: by the way im the dude that hikes with Danny (WILD). Im the on with the pack you were asking about! haha

Oh, cool.

That would be the Gossamer Gear mariposa plus model

Nice pack, by the way.

Re the Falls, here's a photo of the middle pool:

It's all rock there, so all the water is forced to the surface which is one of the reasons that I say the water there is very reliable.

The lower pool is the best one for swimming in my opinion. You can go straight down the drainage (despite the sign that says something about "impassible falls"), but it's tricky. I think it's easier to go back upstream from the first falls about 50' and climb up and around to the left of these rocks:

Going up and around these rocks will put you into a loose, slidey but doable chute of soft gravel and sandy dirt that you can descend to the lower falls.

Getting to the top of the falls is a fun bit of scrambling (that would be yours, truly, in the maroon shirt).


View from the top of the falls:


The whole area is interesting in my opinion and is one of the lesser visited areas. The only real bummer is that you have to hike uphill in order to get out.

HJ

[HH8]

Are the pools along the trail?

Do not expect any water until you get all the way to the "Impassable Falls" sign.

[Hikin_Jim]

HH8 is correct. It's some dry country from Laws Camp until you get to the creek at Caramba. The only real pools (deep enough for wading) are at the falls or below. There are some wide spots in the creek between the old "impassible falls" sign and the falls themselves; I guess maybe there are some pools in there, but the best pools are at the falls.

HJ

[zippetydude]

Hey, look before you leap! As I recall, I went down a ways and there was one pool where it looked like if you got in you'd be hard pressed to get back out...

Yes, I did end up running that day. I had been contemplating doing the Momyer/Alger Creek/San G/Vivian Creek loop and ended up doing it. Man, it took forever. Absolutely wonderful trail though once you get about 7 miles in it's beautiful. Til then it's still interesting but kinda tough and exposed for most of the early part.

How did your 9 peaks go?

z