After not being able to hike various locations in the American River area due to SNOW IN JUNE, I took up the Covell Creek Falls / Angel Falls loop near High Rock instead. Being pleasantly surprised by a massively high Grant Purcell Falls at La Wis Wis, I hoped Covell Creek was running at it's peak too, or at least higher than the garden hose volume it was at last time I visited.

There are two ways to access this trail, one leaves from the Cispus Learning Center, just off FR 28, 13 miles southeast of Randle, the one I took starts out at the Burley Mountain trailhead off of FR 28 itself, about 4 miles from the FR 23 / 28 intersection.

The trail starts out climbing away from the road at a rather steep clip and switches back up the hill to a juntion at 1/2 mile. From here, signs direct you to Angel Falls and Covell Creek Falls (labeled just 'waterfall' on the trailsigns). I decided to get the ugly part out of the way first, so I went to Covell Creek.

In the 1/2 mile from the intersection to the falls, the trail skirts almost constant cliffs of Basalt towering over 200 feet above the trail, often overhanging the trail, sprouting cities of ferns and mosses. Shading the trail on the downhill side is ubiquitous vine maples, and between the cliffs, ferns, mosses, and trees, this is a really pretty section of trail, which is further enhanced by what looks like old lava tube style caves that are slowly being dug out by freeze & thaw style cleavage.

Covell Creek Falls is reached 1 mile from the road, and I guarantee you won't forget it. The trail dives behind the wall of water, or in the case of the late summer, the thin fountain-like streams coming off the 75 foot basalt face. The only full trailside views of the falls are on the far side of the creek, but the best views are from directly in front of the falls (there is an obvious boot path leading downstream, right next to the falling water).

After the falls, the trail climbs again, this time MUCH steeper, not unlike the Wahkeena Creek trail in the Columbia Gorge (only not as wide or well graded). After another 1/2 mile of walking, and 200 feet of climbing, the trail levels and splits. The trail to Burley Mountain continues uphill, and Angel Falls lies downhill. Guess which way I went? (btw, the sign marking Angel Falls at this juntion is really cool)

Another 1/4 mile downhill leads to the base of 175 foot Angel Falls. And much to my delight, there was actually water in it this time. I had visited the falls twice before, and both times there was not much more liquid than I can spit. This time, there was a rather sizable stream, pleasantly skipping down the mossy rocks. Really, one of the most attractive waterfalls I've seen in a long time. So I took a little time here (not just because my legs were liquifying).

After I finished basking in the fine mist, I headed back to the car. Just after crossing Angel Falls' stream, you cross the mainstem of Covell Creek, then it's an easy, flat (my favorite part) 1/4 mile to the first trail junction, and another 1/2 mile downhill to the trailhead.

Do this hike now, the creek will start shriveling very soon.