University Falls Hike: A stuntastic Tuesday

I was ending my monday with plans to stay in on Tuesday and work on the AMA website which BTW is coming a long together nicely. Then I get an invite from Mark to go hiking to a place we both have only heard about from other classmates; University Falls (Pilot Creek Falls).

Having not done anything but summer session I figure it would be a decent way to end the summer on a good note.

The morning was spent at Sac State waiting for the last member of our hiking group also a local of the area we would be hiking. BTW the Jamba Juice on campus was open (soft open) so we were some of the first customers there.

We head up I-80 east towards Reno and turn off into Auburn and take 49 South. The whole trip to the trail was scenic with mountains, huge tree's, small communities stuck in time, and wildlife.

The whole trail was about 5 mils round trip anicipate an 1hr going down and a 1hr and a half hiking back up. There are trail divides but most previous hikers have mapped out which to take with trail markers and arrows. Id suggest taking a quick breather about halfway. Near the fallls you begin a steep decent, at this point id like to suggest you bring a decent pair of shoes, I myself almost fell a few times. Watch your step.

Once arriving at the falls we were greeted to a wide open clearing with 4 "water-slides" although realistically I wouldnt suggest the 4th near the button as people have been injured and/or died attempting it. Id park your gear in the shade nearby the first falls or down more near the 3rd fall.

Now usually I hear this area is is filled with students/locals alike but since it was a weekday and midday we were the only ones around (apart from the hippies) so we had the whole area to ourselves. Im glad I packed light as I didnt have to bring much hiking back up.

We stayed there for a couple hours and decided to head back up the trail before it went dark. The up hill climb was brutal at the start since our steep decent just before the falls ment a steep climb back up. Needless to say I used the inhaler more than once going back up. Pacing myself and taking small breathers I made my way passed the worst of it in no time.

On our way back we decided to stop by Forest Hill Bridge. Some of you may recognize this as it was the bridge featured in xXx starring Vin Diesel. It was the bridge he jumps off with the corvette. (youTube video)

Not a bad way to end a somewhat un-eventful summer. I will be going back this time with more people. Wish you where there.