- Introducing our amazing Sous Chef Tori Menna
- KW Saltwater Grill
- Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
- A-mushrooming we shall go
- The Mendocino Café – Staple of the Village
- Introducing Zoe King & The Waiting Room
- Moments & Places of Quiet
- There’s a new cook in the kitchen
- The Caspar Pub House
- The arches of Mendocino
- La Estrella
- Kayaking the Albion River
- Toasting 20 Years with Bubbles and Caviar
- We’re 20 years old
- Husch Vineyards
- Portuguese Beach
- Out come the wildflowers
- Casa del Sol
- Sweet Mendocino
- Glass Beach
- Farm to Pizza
- Point Cabrillo Light Station
- Navarro River Beach
- Gowan’s Heirloom Ciders
- Lula Cellars
- Goodlife Café & Bakery
- A day trip through the Anderson Valley
- A good night for soup
- Fathers + Daughters Cellars at the Brewery Gulch Inn
- Meyer Family Cellars
- A hiker’s weekend
- Buckhorn Cove
- The art of the freeform vacation
- Old Smith Ranch Preserve
- Super Tortas!
- Revisiting the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
- Chamberlain Creek Waterfall
- The Forest History Trail
- To refresh yourself with the sea
- Wandering in the woods
- Time to relax
- The art of slowly savoring
- Sunset in Mendocino
- Stunningly wild
- Half a day in the Anderson Valley
- Russian Gulch State Park
- Patterson’s Pub
- Tahto Wines
- Fog Eater Café
- Dahlias and begonias and fuschias, oh my
- For a truly superior sandwich
- Morning glory on Big River
- Coro Mendocino
- B Bryan Preserve
- Pelican Bluffs
- Just you and the ocean
- Mendocino Shoeworks
- Independence Day
- A Great Day for Wine
- Affogato at Frankie’s
- A Different Kind of Beachside Stroll
- The Brickery at Cafe Beaujolais
- A Sunny Summer Lunch
- Fathers + Daughters
- When the Weather won't Cooperate
- Romance in Mendocino
- Spring Fun
- Forest Bathing in Action
- Ramen Nights
- Riding the Rails
- Noyo Headlands Park
- Fortunate Farm
- Overtime Brewing Company
- A little day trip south
- A quiet day in the rain
- One of our most iconic landmarks
- Spring Ranch
- It’s time for whales
- What is shinrin yoku?
- Foodie Fun!
- Barn Talk
- Bubbles & Caviar
- Bring on the flowers
- The Portable Painter
- Passion for the Beat
- For Love of the Sea
- An evening stroll
- Simply Delicious
- Crab Time
- A Festival of Lights
- Hollywood's Favorite Backlot
- Button Love
- A Stroll Amongst Giants
- That Golden Glow
- Just like walking on water
- Storm Chasers
Chamberlain Creek Waterfall
Experiences, Hiking, Outdoors | August 28, 2020
A quiet trail for a mini adventure
Strolling through the woods
You know that joy that comes with going down little back country roads you’re unfamiliar with? You feel like an intrepid explorer as you bump over the uneven pavement of a tight corner, or as you pass from a tunnel of trees out into an idyllic pasture at the bottom of a sweet and miniscule valley, or as you watch the dust from a gravelly dirt road billow up in your rearview mirror. Such is the joy we find when we go driving out here in Mendocino, and such was the feeling we experienced when we made our way out to Chamberlain Creek Waterfall a few days ago.
Gee, that’s a tall tree
We drove the 17 miles east up Highway 20 (17.4 miles if you want to be precise!) to the Dunlap Conservation Camp, chatting and laughing as we wound through the gorgeous, towering redwoods of the Jackson Demonstration State Forest. Just on the east side of the Chamberlain Creek bridge, we turned north onto Road 200, which was marked with a wooden post, and began our adventure. Of course, the adventure was made a little less uncertain by the excellent wooden posts signing the way to stay on Road 200, even at a split in the road a little over 1 mile up. We watched the creek tumble by below us as we crept along the one-car track and gazed up at the foggily subdued light filtering through the leaves of the alder and tanoak that were reaching up between the redwoods. And all of a sudden, we were there! 4.7 miles after we left Highway 20, the west shoulder flattened out and widened enough for a couple cars to park alongside the top of some wooden stairs.
The stairs lead the way
We peaked over the edge of the hill and saw the stairs traipsing away down below us, the sign on the first landing happily announcing that this was indeed the Chamberlain Creek Waterfalls Trail. The stairs looked good and the railings solid, so down into the little canyon we went. It was a lovely walk switching back and forth along the steep slope, with interesting old stumps and fallen snags decorating the trail. After only about a third of a mile, we turned a corner, and there was the waterfall before us! Well… it would have been a waterfall if it wasn’t the middle of summer. It would probably be more correct to label it a water trickle at this point in the year, but we stood and imagined coming up on the 50-foot stream of water after the rains of winter and spring, and it was stunning in our heads.
It was hard to get in the whole face of the rock where the water was still trickling down…
The magical grove, with the waterfall at our backs
Even without much water though, the grove in which the waterfall was located was worth a visit in and of itself. It felt almost like the kind of place where a fairy or a woodland nymph would hide away from the noise of humankind – tucked away and nestled into the heart of the forest. We turned in slow circles and gazed in delight. From the bubbling of the stream at our feet to the tippy-tops of the trees far overhead, it was incredibly beautiful and serene.
Traipsing along a trunk…
After gazing our fill, we wandered on past the falls, following the trail a little ways up the narrow forest canyon. More in the mood for a simple stroll than a hike, we bypassed the split leading up near the top of the waterfall and stayed along the lower trail. We walked the length of fallen giants, peaked into dark and hidden hollows, wondered aloud at the tenacity of half dead trees that had been blackened by lightning long ago and yet still clung to life. We meandered. We opened our eyes and ears and simply absorbed the woods. It was magical.
Just stoppin’ and gazin’
It was still magical as we retraced our steps and headed back out to the car, and the feeling lingered even as we pulled away and watched the dust billow up behind us once more. Once again we watched the creek tumble by below and the overcast skies giving light to the variegated leaves overhead. And still, even though we knew we were heading home, that little spark of joyous adventure was there, tucked away just inside our ribcage.
Looks like this redwood needed to lean in and rest on this rock a little bit
While we always love a fun little walk in lesser-traveled parts of the woods, no matter the time of year, for maximum effect we would recommend trying out this trail in later spring, when the waterfall will be more full with the recent rains.
Want to get in a waterfall hike that’s not quite so much of a drive? Russian Gulch, while more heavily hiked, is also truly lovely.
~ Words & pictures by Laura Hockett
Choose Your Next Read
Introducing our amazing Sous Chef Tori Menna
The Inn has been extra blessed this year with the addition of Sous Chef Tori Menna, she made a complete package for us when we transitioned to our new Executive Chef, and we are continually impressed by her artistry…
KW Saltwater Grill
We love enticing our guests into taking a shot at something new on the coast. We are proud to say, they did not disappoint…
Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
I can’t help but picture garden gnomes and fairies flitting about their branches and nestling in the soft petals of the blooms.
A-mushrooming we shall go
…We had gotten a little taste of the joy that inspires the passionate enthusiasm of the dedicated mushroom forager. And we were ready for more!
The Mendocino Café – Staple of the Village
We ordered the classic Stout-Braised Pot Roast, made with Covelo beef, carrots, mushrooms, fingerling potatoes and horseradish cream. Scrumptious bits of beef and vegetables in their own juices were beyond comforting on this autumn day.
Introducing Zoe King & The Waiting Room
Attention espresso lovers visiting Mendocino, this is the place to get the dreamy espresso, perfectly foamed latte, or frothy cappuccino. Drum roll please…
Moments & Places of Quiet
…We asked the staff at the inn where they liked to go to hang out and relax, and here is what they had to share…
There’s a new cook in the kitchen
…if you read that and thought, “Wait, does a brand-spanking-new employee file mean that the Brewery Gulch Inn has a new chef?” you would be absolutely correct!…
The Caspar Pub House
The newest restaurant on the coast, with the best British fare on the Mendocino coast. Guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds!
The arches of Mendocino
…A couple of months ago, Tom had mentioned how much he loved the natural rock arches around the headlands, and out of that comment had blossomed this plan for an early morning stroll to go admire them together…
La Estrella
“Estrellaaaaaa...” Guy staged whispered as he walked through the office to his desk. It was lunchtime, and he was oh so subtly trying to convince me to go get tacos with him…
Kayaking the Albion River
A fabulous day viewing the legendary houseboats on the Albion River…
Toasting 20 Years with Bubbles and Caviar
…an anniversary like the big 2-0 deserves all the fun and fancy toasts and celebrations we can fit in. So read on, and then go to Goldeneye and raise a glass of their delightful bubbles along with us as we cheer for another equally wonderful 20 years to come…
We’re 20 years old
…it was sort of a special moment when we looked at the calendar and realized, “Wow! The inn is turning 20 this year! We’ve been doing this for a while!”…
Husch Vineyards
…We were in the mood for something fairly casual and friendly, homey even, so we picked up the phone and called Husch Vineyards to see if they could fit us in for a tasting…
Out come the wildflowers
…The wind may still have been brisk, the seas still rough, the skies still frequently filled with full and dripping clouds, but at last the bright breath of spring was beginning to make its presence known – truly news to make us glad…
Casa del Sol
…So what are you waiting for? Go now and enjoy your own taste of this wonderful little gem of a spot down in Noyo Harbor. It’s totally worth it!
Sweet Mendocino
…since we’re already dreaming, we thought we’d share all the lovely things that have been floating through our brains… Read on, read on, and maybe you’ll find something sweet that you can’t live without either!…
Glass Beach
…I am, of course, talking about Glass Beach, that charming stretch of little rocky coves up in Fort Bragg that nearly every single first time visitor asks directions to, eager to scratch another well-known destination off their list…
Farm to Pizza
…After a split second of staring at the screen, Guy looked up at James and I. “We’re getting this for lunch, right?” We were quick to agree – this pizza sounded too good to pass up!…
Point Cabrillo Light Station
…when we saw the magnificent way the waves were crashing along the coastline and we realized we had a bit of a break in our day to steal away from the paperwork on our desks, we grabbed our sneakers and made a beeline for good ol’ Point Cabrillo…
Navarro River Beach
It’s a moody evening out here on Navarro Beach. The day started out fairly gray earlier this morning, migrating gradually into sunshiny warmth, and now has reverted back to the lowering mass of clouds so typical to Mendocino winter…
Gowan’s Heirloom Ciders
…We tasted 6 ciders altogether. They were all delicious, filling our mouths with the flavors and feelings of happy holidays and cheery harvest time…
Lula Cellars
…We rose from our stools at the barrel and stretched our legs, commenting to Kim how hard it was to choose which wines we wanted to purchase and take home. “That’s what I love about working here,” he said. “All the wines are good!”…
Goodlife Café & Bakery
…I lingered over each bite and sip. The latte was comforting and creamy. And my snack… well…it was fantastic!…
A day trip through the Anderson Valley
…Why should we want to go spend the day in the Anderson Valley? … we’re itching to get out and experience some of the newest additions to all that the Anderson Valley has to offer…
A good night for soup
…This was what we needed. Good soup. Good company. Beautiful evening in a beautiful place. Café Beaujolais had done it again, and everything was just right…
Fathers + Daughters Cellars at the Brewery Gulch Inn
…the next time you find yourself dreaming of a little escape to Mendocino, book a stay with us and set up your own private tasting with Guy and Sarah of Fathers + Daughters Cellars…
Meyer Family Cellars
…Being so darn toasty, we relished the instant cool that washed over us as we crossed the threshold of our destination – the invitingly cheery Mendocino tasting room of Meyer Family Cellars…
A hiker’s weekend
…So we thought we’d put together a weekend itinerary for these intrepid wanders, a little sampling of some of our favorite trails, both more and less well known, stretching out for longer miles and beautifully condensed into shorter bites of exploration…
Buckhorn Cove
…One more slow gaze around the entire cove, my heart filling up to the brim with the peaceful calm of the place, and I at last turned back to my car and the day ahead, ready to face the world…
The art of the freeform vacation
…more often than not I find myself ever so gently trying to convince guests that they should leave themselves a little more leeway in their vacation, a little more space to breathe and let what I like to call the “Mendo chill” take over and guide their stay…
Old Smith Ranch Preserve
…This was just what I needed. A short break from the rest of the world. A quiet trail inviting me to step away from work and bills and deadlines of any and all sorts. A chance to explore and gain fresh perspective. A sweet little escape…
Super Tortas!
…Super Tortas is delightfully unrefined, as any good hole in the wall should be, but what they lack in polish they more than make up for in finished product – they may look small, but they sure do deliver big, in more ways than one!…
Revisiting the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens
…We were slowly making our way along the meandering grassy paths of the perennial garden… oohing and aahing over every burst of color, every interesting texture of leaf, every variation in size and form…
Chamberlain Creek Waterfall
…It felt almost like the kind of place where a fairy or a woodland nymph would hide away from the noise of humankind – tucked away and nestled into the heart of the forest…
The Forest History Trail
…And so I meandered along the trail, enjoying every breath of free and wild air, forgetting the world outside these lovely trees…
To refresh yourself with the sea
Do you find yourself craving a glimpse of waves, the freedom to wander paths and trails along ocean-side bluff tops, and that tickle in your nostrils of the sweetly golden air of sunset as day sinks down beyond the boundless expanse of the sea?…
Wandering in the woods
…One recent Saturday morning saw us heading into the Jackson Demonstration Forest from a trailhead a few miles up Little Lake Road…
The art of slowly savoring
…how do you express that ineffable sense of peace and rest that steals over you as you simply slow down and savor the experience of dining at the Harbor House Inn?
Stunningly wild
Wow, just wow.” We stared up at the trees standing off the steeply twisting trail ahead.
Half a day in the Anderson Valley
A few months ago, we had an amazing day meandering our way down the Anderson Valley.
Patterson’s Pub
…“It looks like this is everyone else’s favorite pub too!” we heard rolling back from the leader to the last man pushing through the curtain…
Fog Eater Café
…We had been dreaming of the day we would finally be able to get a taste of their fabled food… and we just this week found our way through their door…
Dahlias and begonias and fuschias, oh my
…We were slowly making our way along the meandering grassy paths of the perennial garden…
For a truly superior sandwich
…The gal in our group who ordered the Ultimate Club was so in love with her lunch
Morning glory on Big River
…in the back of our minds we carried away that wonderful hour of morning glory, and it suffused the rest of the day with peace…
Coro Mendocino
…This was our first experience with Coro, and we were excited to get to see what it was all about…
B Bryan Preserve
…What a personal, beautiful opportunity to get to know some of the most iconic and majestic creatures of the African landscape…
Pelican Bluffs
…we had logged roughly 3 miles of meandering through what may have become our new favorite. Seriously. We’re going back with a picnic soon!
Just you and the ocean
…We were already familiar with some of these tiny trails, but others were brand new to us – so we went out and explored!…
Mendocino Shoeworks
…A true-blue, old-fashioned crafter of the finest of footwear. That’s what Jason Clapp is…
Independence Day
…this is one of the most popular weekends of the year, with rooms getting snagged a good couple of months ahead of time…
A Great Day for Wine
…The highlight of the week…was the long, leisurely day that we spent meandering down the Anderson Valley…
Affogato at Frankie’s
…We looked at each other and laughed out loud, knowing that we were just going to have to get another…
A Different Kind of Beachside Stroll
“We started doing these rides on the beach 23 years ago, and I absolutely love it… I can’t imagine doing anything better with my life." -Tobi Ross
The Brickery at Cafe Beaujolais
For about a year now, we’ve been hearing glowing reviews of the pizza that Café Beaujolais started making last May at their Brickery. “Creative!” “Delicious!” “You’ve GOT to try it out.” And finally, this past weekend, we did just that…
A Sunny Summer Lunch
…out on the sheltered back deck of the Noyo Harbor Inn, all we got was a gentle breeze ruffling our hair as the sunshine warmed our backs and the Noyo River rolled quietly by...
Fathers + Daughters
When we were expecting our daughter Ella in 2012… we embarked on the adventure that would eventually become Fathers + Daughters Cellars.
When the Weather won't Cooperate
…We sighed in contentment, for despite (or perhaps because of) the rain we had managed to have what could quite practically be called a near-perfect day…
Romance in Mendocino
…We were chatting recently with several local friends about this romance that fills the air, and we came up with a list of the best places to get into the spirit of things…
Spring Fun
…We thought we’d let you know about some of our favorite activities and events that are going on this spring, activities and events that you are definitely going to want to add to your itinerary!
Forest Bathing in Action
…After too short of a pause, we hefted our packs and headed back down the trail, content that we had indeed found the perfect place for putting our forest bathing ideas into action…
Ramen Nights
…sometimes there are things that are so phenomenal that they demand the use of more than just one exclamation point to highlight how truly amazing they are. And Good Life Café’s new pop-up ramen nights qualify, trust us...
Riding the Rails
…are the Skunk Train’s railbikes worth adding to your itinerary during your next visit to Mendocino?…
Noyo Headlands Park
…Of late, we’ve found ourselves starting almost all of our ocean-side strolls at the Noyo Headlands Park trailhead located on the southern section of the Coastal Trail that runs along the western edge of Fort Bragg. Why?…
Fortunate Farm
…Searching for a place in which to further pursue her own dreams of what ag could be, Gowan partnered with her mother Ellen, her step father Jef, and a few other like-minded folks to open Fortunate Farm about five years ago…
Overtime Brewing Company
…So if you ask us where to go for a laid-back lunch and a great glass of beer, we are totally sending you to Overtime Brewing Company up in Fort Bragg. Trust us, it’s worth it.
A little day trip south
…we’ve schemed up a little sightseeing excursion of our own heading south down the Mendocino coast. Nothing crazy, just enough to fit comfortably in a day…
A quiet day in the rain
…It was a moment of true mental and emotional refreshment while the gentle rain refreshed the world outside – just what the doctor ordered.
One of our most iconic landmarks
…once you’ve pondered this darling Presbyterian Church, you’ll know why we think of it as a true local gem, why we love that we get to count it as a vital part of our community…
Spring Ranch
…For those who are in the mood for something away from the crowds though, one walk that continually stands out in our minds is the trail at Spring Ranch…
It’s time for whales
…For the past couple of decades, the greater Mendocino community has been celebrating this annual parade put on by our water-loving neighbors with a full season of Whale Festival events…
What is shinrin yoku?
It is, in essence, steeping oneself in the peaceful presence of nature for medicinal benefits – if that isn’t a modernized, scientific version of Mendocino’s “back to the land” mentality, then we don’t know what is.
Foodie Fun!
Are you looking for the ultimate foodie moment? Have you stopped by Pennyroyal Farms yet to try their farmstead goat and sheep cheeses and their luscious wines?
Barn Talk
“Wait, what am I seeing?” Our guest peers closer at the paintings in the Great Room, eventually walking right up and touching the wooden barns to verify that, yes, it is in fact real wood that creates that 3D effect…
Bubbles & Caviar
…We have been highly looking forward to this moment, and we mean to savor every second of it…
Bring on the flowers
…we find ourselves daydreaming of longer days, of spring, of wildflowers.
The Portable Painter
…Knowing that The Portable Painter is a unique opportunity to experience Mendocino on a different level, we invited Suzi to come give us a class at the inn…
Passion for the Beat
…It was, after all, pretty much impossible not to get up and dance with that infectious Latin beat filling up every square inch of air…
For Love of the Sea
…we moseyed on up to Noyo Harbor this past weekend to chat with joint owners and best friends Wendy Holloway and Captain Heather…
An evening stroll
…We clocked off from our duties one evening, intent on stretching our legs…
Simply Delicious
So delicious. Truly. Ingredients perfectly blended in every bite. Tart. Bright. Crunchy. Delectably deep savor. So piping hot fresh. Mmmmm….
Crab Time
…This crab extravaganza, which used to be called the Crab Festival, will take place January 18-27. It’s going to be 10 glorious days of crab, wine, beer, and more crab…
A Festival of Lights
A favorite local holiday tradition was born 8 years ago when Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens unveiled their very first Festival of Lights extravaganza.
Hollywood's Favorite Backlot
For over 100 years, Mendocino has been a favorite location for Hollywood producers.
Button Love
She is, in fact, totally and completely, no doubt about it, head over heels in love with antique buttons.
A Stroll Amongst Giants
…It has a couple of absolutely breathtaking groves of old growth redwoods that will make you want to just plunk yourself down on the nearest bench or fallen log and stare in wonder…
That Golden Glow
There’s something magical about that golden hour when the sun starts to slowly descend…
Just like walking on water
One of our innkeepers recently tried out the paddle boarding option with a good friend, and they had such a fantastic time she can’t stop raving about it…
Storm Chasers
We positively LOVE being up here in rugged Mendocino when the wind starts to howl and the clouds get particularly thunderous.
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