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All the United States California Frazier Falls
AO Edited

Frazier Falls

The viewpoint for this attractive, off-the-beaten-path waterfall is reached by a paved, wheelchair-accessible trail.

Graeagle, California

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slgwv
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Overview of Frazier Falls as a trickle.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Falls, in the low-water year of 2014.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
The paved trail to Frazier Falls.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Plaque at the falls viewpoint.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Creek, going down to the falls and running full.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
The new bridge over Frazier Creek.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Falls, in the near-record water year of 2017.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Falls close-up, in the near-record water year of 2017.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
ADA accessible bridge over Frazier Creek.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Falls, in the low-water year of 2014.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Plunge pool about a third of the way down Frazier Falls   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Frazier Falls is nothing but a streak of damp rock.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
Bridge over Frazier Creek in September 2013.   slgwv / Atlas Obscura User
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Frazier Falls, located on Frazier Creek, is the scenic highlight of the Twenty Lakes Basin, an area characterized by glacial terrain in granite bedrock in which there are plenty of alpine lakes and streams.

The falls reside in the vague northern end of the Sierra Nevada. Frazier Creek is the outflow stream for Gold Lake, one of the largest lakes in the region.

The trail to the falls viewpoint is paved and wheelchair-accessible. A network of hiking trails also crosses the area.

Related Tags

Hiking Nature Waterfalls

Know Before You Go

From Graeagle, go south about 1.5 miles on California State Route 89. Turn right onto Gold Lake Highway. Drive 1.5 miles and turn left at Frazier Falls Road (USFS 501). Continue four miles along this narrow paved road to the trailhead parking area.

Alternatively, follow the Gold Lake highway for another 6.8 miles and turn left opposite the Gold Lake turnoff onto Frazier Creek Road (USFS 820). This way is shorter but not paved.

The falls are best viewed early in the season as they can dwindle to a trickle by fall. However, the road usually does not open until June due to snow cover, and snow can linger even later on the trail, so finding the best visiting time involves a tradeoff. Check with the Forest Service office if it's important that the trail be clear of snow.

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slgwv

Published

June 6, 2022

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Frazier Falls
Graeagle, California, 96103
United States
39.706856, -120.642457
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