Donner Canyon to the Falls Trail

A few yards beyond the Mitchell Canyon Road trailhead, Oak Road takes off to the left where the split rail fencing ends. A short climb up the fire road takes you to a meadowy plateau. Continue on Oak Road as it takes a sharp left turn, then intersects with Murchio Road. Turn right onto Murchio Road to Donner Canyon Road. Turn right and follow this road to the site of Donner Cabin. Just beyond, turn left to cross Donner Creek on a foot bridge. After a few steps along the Hetherington Trail, turn left and follow the Bruce Lee Spring Trail, Donner Trail, and Wassermann Trail to Cardinet Oaks Road. A short distance to the right is the Falls Trail. This, in turn, ends at Middle Trail; turn right and follow Middle Trail to its end at Meridian Ridge Road. Turn right and, shortly thereafter, left onto Donner Canyon Road. Take Donner Canyon Road down to Murchio Road, and retrace your steps back to the trailhead. The hike is not difficult, but some stream crossings are steep and slippery. In winter and early spring, the roads may be muddy. In winter (rainy season) and throughout spring after it rains, the Falls Trail offers fine views of one of the mountain’s most spectacular attractions, several waterfalls up to 100 feet high. Spring also brings astounding displays of wildflowers, and the colorful rock formations are worth the trip at any time. Please refrain from scrambling down to the falls; it is dangerous and damages the landscape.