Dan McCaslin Rediscovers Mini-Waterfall Near Davy Brown Camp After 50 Years
Updated
Updated · Noozhawk · Jun 3
Dan McCaslin Rediscovers Mini-Waterfall Near Davy Brown Camp After 50 Years
1 articles · Updated · Noozhawk · Jun 3
Summary
May 7-8 brought McCaslin’s first sighting in more than 50 years of a small waterfall a few hundred yards above Davy Brown Camp in California’s San Rafael Wilderness.
The find came after an overnight stay at the U.S. Forest Service campground and a short walk past the uppermost campsite, the old water silo and two difficult creek crossings.
The same outing included a hike from nearby Nira Trailhead to Lost Valley Camp, where Manzana Creek was running strongly in what McCaslin called an excellent water year.
That flow may be temporary: McCaslin said the upper Davy Brown Creek feature will likely dry out in summer heat, as nearby hillsides already look more like summer than spring.
The account underscores how seasonal water and changing trail conditions can reshape even a familiar backcountry area roughly 50 miles from Santa Barbara.