Brandy Creek Falls is a wide horsetail waterfall on Brandy Creek in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California, with a current height of about 30 feet, possibly closer to 25.
The falls
A lidar-informed reading caps the total drop at no more than 30 feet, possibly closer to 25 — well under an older figure of 38 feet. Cascades about 200 feet farther downstream are treated as a separate, unnamed waterfall and are not counted in this height. The trail passes Copley Greenstone mixed with rock derived from the Shasta Bally batholith.
Getting there
The route crosses the dam on Kennedy Memorial Drive, follows Brandy Creek Road toward Sheep Camp, and turns left at the Sheep Camp/Shasta Bally junction to parking near road-blocking boulders, where the foot trail begins; Brandy Creek Road is narrow gravel. Park entry costs $25 per vehicle, or $15 per person without one, for seven days ($20 per motorcycle); America the Beautiful passes are accepted and payment is cashless. The trail is currently open only as far as the Lower Falls Overlook, 1.4 miles one way, and travel beyond that point into the unstable box canyon is discouraged. A separate route description puts the hike at a moderate 3-mile round trip.
When to go
Hiking here is discouraged when rain is forecast, since slopes burned by wildfire can produce flash floods, landslides and debris flows.
On site
Hikers should stay on the trail, help children through steep or slippery sections, and cross above the cascades only by footbridge; falling trees, loose rock and burned stump holes remain hazards. Leashed dogs are permitted on the trail.
History and name
The trail system was badly damaged by the 2018 Carr Fire and the winter that followed; restoration work was documented in 2021.
Nearby
Lower Brandy Creek Falls is about 0.8 mile away, Boulder Creek Falls about 2.5 miles, and Whiskeytown Falls about 3.5 miles.
Distances are straight-line.