WHO WOULD DARE PIT... the ethereal, powerful, rainbow-lovely waterfalls of the Shasta Cascade against those of Yosemite Valley? The answer: No one would, for each mondo falling H2O show comes bearing its own particular charms and character. In fact, one has to believe that if Bridalveil Fall in the national park ever had a chance to have a coffee and a doughnut, or whatever snacks waterfalls prefer, with Whiskeytown Falls, up in the Shasta Cascade, the droplet-filled duo would have a lot in common. Which is all to say this: Nature seekers and devoted hikers and H20-happy fall fans can find watery wonder in several points around the state, including in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, a spot rich in waterfall treasures. To honor all of this burbling, bubbling beauty, and to celebrate National Park Week, which wraps on Sunday, April 23, the National Park Service "invites visitors to 'Find Your Waterfall' by taking the Whiskeytown Waterfall Challenge...," a soggy-fun showdown that's on now.
WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE ALL ABOUT? You just need to stop by the visitor center for a Waterfall Challenge Passport, then call upon a quartet of falls in the Whiskeytown region: Brandy Creek, Boulder Creek, Whiskeytown Falls, and Crystal Creek. The trail register "located at the base of each waterfall" has what you need to create "a colored impression" on your passport, to show you made it to the fall. You'll get an all-important, brag-about-it completion stamp and, if they're still available, a gift. But, of course, the waterfalls don't switch to "off" once National Park Week says adieu and the challenge wraps. Even if you can't make it during stamp-fun showdown, you can put Whiskeytown on your immediate itinerary. For you've heard about May and waterfall action? Yeah, it's something else. Wouldn't that be something for Whiskeytown Falls and Bridalveil Falls to discuss over doughnuts? The marvelous month of waterfall-amazing May around California? Wherever you look, H20 falling over a ledge is apt to impress as springtime moves closer to summer.
