Upper McCloud River Falls is a 45-foot waterfall on McCloud River in Siskiyou County, California, in the Cascades region. It lies about 6.9 miles east of McCloud and roughly 49.4 miles northeast of Redding as the crow flies.
At 45 feet it is on the modest side for California, where the typical waterfall with a recorded height stands around 70 feet; it ranks 189th of 286. By form it is a tiered waterfall, falling in several distinct steps one after another, combined with a plunge character.
The Cascades are a high volcanic range of snow-capped peaks, deep glacial valleys and dense conifer forest of Douglas fir, western hemlock and true firs, with abundant rain and snow on the western slopes. Basalt cliffs and lava flows give the region one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls in the country. McCloud River carries 3 recorded waterfalls, and Upper McCloud River Falls is the tallest of them.
Siskiyou County holds 39 recorded waterfalls, and several are close by. Middle McCloud River Falls, a 44-foot horsetail waterfall, is under a mile away. Lower McCloud River Falls, a 12-foot plunge punchbowl waterfall, is under a mile away. Little Springs Falls, is about 4.2 miles away.
Upper McCloud River Falls is located at 41.2404° N, 122.0092° W. The listing is based on the World Waterfall Database, one of the sources compiled by the U.S. Geological Survey in its inventory of waterfalls and rapids of the conterminous United States. The creek name is confirmed against the federal Geographic Names Information System. The position was verified on aerial imagery. Details on trails, parking and access have not been documented for this waterfall yet.