Gunlock Falls

Campsite 10, April 13 - We were looking for a better campsite. As we turned onto the highway a portable sign proclaimed “Gunlock Falls Active.” As we drove past the sign, I scanned the map for any creek or river crossing that would make the road inaccessible. It was a long way around Red Mountain Wilderness and I wanted to limit our backtracking. I didn’t find any crossing and our camp was only five miles farther up the road.

It was a remote area with BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property on both sides. This would be perfect for camping, if there were any side roads. Then we saw a parking lot full of cars!? We slowed down. Then we saw what the crowd was about. It was Gunlock Falls, being active. Remember what I said about finding the unexpected being more exciting than the spectacular expected.

This part of the world received a lot of snowfall late in the season. As that snow melts in the mountains is flows downstream. The local collection point is Gunlock Reservoir and it was overflowing. We just happened upon it at a really good time.

We joined the crowded and parked.

The Reservoir is a State Park and we just happened to have an annual pass although no one seemed to be paying. We hiked the short distance to the edge of the falls and boy was it worth stopping for. I asked around and found out the falls doesn’t flow often but when it does all the locals drop by for the show.

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