| About Tahoe National Forest |
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| Heath Falls Overlook Trail |
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Ending Elevation:
4,920 Feet
Length, One-way:
5 Miles
USGS Map:
Soda Springs
Elevation Gain:
1,080 Feet
Beginning Elevation:
6,000 Feet
Difficulty:
Difficult
Reservation:
No
Season:
June - September
From Truckee, Travel west on Hwy. #80 and take the Soda Springs/Norden exit. Follow the Old Highway #40 east for 0.8 miles to Soda Springs Road. Turn south and follow the road for another 0.8 miles to Pahatsi Road, which will be on your right. Pahatsi Road will be paved for about 0.2 miles. When it turns into a dirt road the name will change to Kidd Lakes Road. Follow the dirt road for about 1.5 miles to where it forks. Do not take the road to Palisade Lake/Camp Winther, but continue straight ahead for 2.5 miles (you will pass Kidd Lake on you left.) The trailhead for the Palisade Creek Trail is on the north side of Cascade Lakes. Hike the Palisade Creek Trail 4.5 miles to the Palisade Creek Bridge. The Heath Falls Trail begins about 300 yards past the bridge.
Location Information
The Heath Falls Overlook Trail is a difficult 5 mile trail at an elevation of 6,000 feet. From the junction with the Palisade Creek Trail it's a short, pleasant 0.5 miles to the point which overlooks Heath Falls on the North Fork of the American River. It is very impressive in early season to see the falls, deep in the canyon, thundering over the cliffs into deep, large pools. Hikers should note that the overlook is on the boundary line between Forest Service and private property. The landowner's right need to be respected. The falls are entirely on private land and any attempt to climb down the very steep canyon is not only irresponsible, but considered trespassing. Camping is not allowed in this area.
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