Goose Creek Falls
Goose Creek Falls is a waterfall in the Payette National Forest area near McCall, ID. This hike is easy to access with extensive parking near the trailhead. The trail is easy to follow, with lots of shade throughout. It is pretty heavily trafficked and this can make the destination a little crowded on a busy day since there is very little room at the actual falls basin.
There are very few challenges to this hike, but of the three that do exist, one is a pretty good one.
Challenges:
The hike in is easy enough, with a mostly steady descent. However, this means the hike out is almost entirely uphill, so pace yourself if you’re not used to this.
There are a few small water crossings, but most are easily traversed. Take your time and make sure you have good footing and adequate balance for these crossings.
The final 50 feet (15.24 m) or so of this hike as you reach the falls is pure jagged rocks, and the last 20 feet (6.1 m) is a near vertical descent down a rocky face. It helps to turn to face the rocks as you descend. If you have balance or strength issues, this will be a very difficult area. Take your time and always make sure you have two good hand holds and one foot hold each step of the way.
Dogs as well may find this impossible to navigate. Keep that in mind before bringing your 4-legged friends.
As you make your way down the mountain, you will have an abundance of shade and usually a nice mountain breeze to keep you cool. Several spots along the way provide beautiful views of the valley and mountain on the other side.
Depending on when you hike this trail, you’ll want to make sure you have adequate water.
Take in the beautiful wild flowers along the trail as well. There are small plants with yellow, white, and purple flower varieties. A few larger bushes with lovely pink flowers also appear dispersed along the trail.
Once you reach the bridge, you only have about a quarter mile to go to reach the falls. The bridge is a great spot to take a small break and enjoy the views of Goose Creek. The lack of shade on the bridge is mitigated by the cooling power of the flowing river. Take some pictures here and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings. You can even dip your feet into one of the small pools along the bank of the creek.
As you move beyond the bridge and through the woods a little further, you enter an open space. Here you can see lots of butterflies during the June and early July months.
After the clearing, you’ll reach a jagged rocky area. This is when you know you’re almost to the falls. If you walk to the creek edge, you can peer down the falls from the top. There is a great opportunity here for pictures when you are leaving. Someone can hang back a bit and capture shots of you from below while you stand on the small ledge above the falls.
As you continue, the nearly flat rocky area quickly turns into a near vertical descent to the base of the falls. The base of the descent doesn’t have a lot of room to move around. This is a bit of a problem on busy days, since the area can only comfortably support half a dozen people. After that, you have to start trying to spread out along the rocky sides and into the water. The trail does appear to keep going, so you can probably hike a little further down and find a little more room if you feel the need.
We were glad we pack some water sandals/shoes, so we could wade into the cool water a little. The water is flowing pretty fast, so watch your step and move slowly. You can cross the creek without the water going above your knees if you want a variety of viewing angles. The pool beneath the falls is deep, and the drop-off happens pretty rapidly. The flow is such that I wouldn’t recommend swimming it.
If you have the inclination, there are small trout in this creek and in this pool at the base of the falls. They aren’t big enough to keep, so plan to catch and release.
The hike out is almost entirely uphill. The shade and breeze are wonderful during the hike out. As needed, pause in a shady spot, close your eyes, breath deep, and enjoy the cool air flow around you. Express gratitude in your heart for the opportunity to be in this moment, surrounded by a magnificent and beautiful natural world. Let the energy fill your body, mind, and soul. You will feel peace and strength flow into you and fill you. Continue to do so as needed, while you make your way back to the trailhead.
If you’re needing something to eat after this hike, I’d recommend My Father’s Place. If you’re just needing a treat, My Father’s Place has incredible shakes (the fresh raspberry shake it incredible and very refreshing) and Açaí Bowls or Ice Cream Alley, a huge flavor variety of ice cream.
