Oroville, California
There is an area in Oroville called Table Mountain, where a large plateau is occupied by a number of water falls, but none of them can even compare to what is known as “Phantom Falls.” Phantom Falls is located at the very end of Table Mountain (Relative to the designated Table Mountain parking lot), where the mountain banks off into a steep canyon.
The hike from the parking lot to Phantom Falls is about two and a half miles long, taking you through a vast area of marshy plains surrounding a number of subtle trails. The trail which leads northeast from the parking lot is the one you want to take. You’ll likely pass by multiple groups of grazing cattle who will awkwardly stare at you as if they’re just waiting for you to take one wrong step into their mine field of feces.
Once you arrive to the canyon where Phantom Falls resides, you’ll be facing almost directly across from the falls. After you take in the astonishing view, catch your breath and walk along the right side of the canyon past the falls. There’s a slit in the canyon where someone was nice enough to provide a rope that will assist you down to the bottom. This little entry way is home to a number of little critters. Watch your step so you don’t accidentally slip on a banana slug or flatten a frog.
The area around the showering water fall is full of entertainment. There are a number of caves and crevices underneath the fall, some natural and some man made, including what’s left of a shallow entrance to an abandoned mine shaft. More and more newts appear with each step you take closer to the water so once again, watch your footing. Also be advised, while the little guys are fun to hold and observe, the slime they leave behind causes the rocks near the water to be extremely slippery. Still, with caution, it’s worth the risk to step into the outer part of the fall and experience the rejuvenating, infinite shower generously provided by Table Mountain (shampoo not included).
Phantom Falls itself is a terrific site to see and it maintains a surrounding habitat that grants significant opportunity for adventurous fun. The trip to and from is plenty enjoyable as well, just be sure not to wear your church shoes, as the cattle don’t stop grazing, similarly they… well, you get it.
Take A Hike 