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NEW BOOK 2020!
Uvas Canyon, Santa Clara
SECOND EDITION ON SALE NOW!
Uvas Canyon (Santa Clara)
Uvas Canyon (Santa Clara)
Candy Rock
Many of the swimming holes featured on this blog can be We found in Timothy H. Joyce's book "Swimming Holes of CA". All photos Copyright Timothy H. Joyce, All Rights Reserved.
PRO TOUR (SECOND EDITION)
NEW BOOK 2020!
SPECIAL VIDEO DEDICATION!!!
Need directions to any of these swimming holes?
Upper Falls (Myrtyl Falls)
Uvas Canyon, Santa Clara
Swimming Holes of CA (Pro Tour, 2018)
Swimming Holes of CA (510 pages)
SECOND EDITION ON SALE NOW!
Swimming Hole Videos 2010
Best Swimming Hole Videos
- McCloud Falls
- Diana Falls
- Cedar Creek Falls San Diego, CA
- Kimshew Falls Jump
- Garden of Eden Jump (Felton, CA)
- God's Bath (Sonora)
- Candy Rock Dive
- University Falls (General Video)
- Real Cliff Diving
- 12 Feet Under Cliff Jumping
- Best Footage Aztec Falls
- Aztec Falls
- Rainbow Pools & Song
- Punch Bowls General
- Rainbow Pools
- Havasu Falls Jump??
- Superman Run & Jumps
- 110 Ft Cliff Jump
COMMENTS BY MEMBERS - 2015
THE SEVERE DROUGHT CONTINUES!! DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED!! LOT'S OF PLACES TO SWIM!!
Carlon Falls - Lots of water and good swimming reported as this great hole.
Tuolumne & Preston Falls - Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne are open. Lots of water at Tuolumne and at Preston Falls upstream.
Little Hawaii & Chilnualna Creek - Low on water this year. Don't expect much.
South Yuba River - Continues to have water and to be a favorite of most. Try Jones bar if you can't find water at your spot.
Horsetail Falls - A good place to swim just off of RT 50. Used to be pretty dangerous. Now not so bad.
Upper Cathedral Lake - Lots of water and great swimming spot if you can handle the 3.5 miles hike. Bring your camera!
Dinkey Creek - Still has water, but is running low. Head up to the Granite Pools for some respite.
Garden of Eden - Running low on water. Visit at your own risk.
Bass lake - Water and good swimming (both Yosemite and Bolinas).
Candy Rock & Blue Streak - Water is low, but cliffs are still good for jumping.
University Falls - Closed for the season. May open in a few years.
Palisade Falls - Jumps are epic!
McCloud Falls - All three holes are good. Upper hole is especially good this year given the low water. Venture up there! Trail down is steep and easy to miss. There is one!
Alder Slabs - Still good for sliding !
Brush Creek, Bull Run, Kern River - Running low. Kern is the best option.
Tenaya Lake - Good for swimming. No bugs this year!
God's Bath - Running low on water. Try next year.
Cleo's Bath - Low or out of water. Swim at the lake.
Carlon Falls - Lots of water and good swimming reported as this great hole.
Tuolumne & Preston Falls - Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne are open. Lots of water at Tuolumne and at Preston Falls upstream.
Little Hawaii & Chilnualna Creek - Low on water this year. Don't expect much.
South Yuba River - Continues to have water and to be a favorite of most. Try Jones bar if you can't find water at your spot.
Horsetail Falls - A good place to swim just off of RT 50. Used to be pretty dangerous. Now not so bad.
Upper Cathedral Lake - Lots of water and great swimming spot if you can handle the 3.5 miles hike. Bring your camera!
Dinkey Creek - Still has water, but is running low. Head up to the Granite Pools for some respite.
Garden of Eden - Running low on water. Visit at your own risk.
Bass lake - Water and good swimming (both Yosemite and Bolinas).
Candy Rock & Blue Streak - Water is low, but cliffs are still good for jumping.
University Falls - Closed for the season. May open in a few years.
Palisade Falls - Jumps are epic!
McCloud Falls - All three holes are good. Upper hole is especially good this year given the low water. Venture up there! Trail down is steep and easy to miss. There is one!
Alder Slabs - Still good for sliding !
Brush Creek, Bull Run, Kern River - Running low. Kern is the best option.
Tenaya Lake - Good for swimming. No bugs this year!
God's Bath - Running low on water. Try next year.
Cleo's Bath - Low or out of water. Swim at the lake.
Comments by Members - Important Swimming Hole Notes Summer 2011
Emerald Pool & Cliffs - This place is not for everyone. Although the hike is not long, it is quite strenuous. It includes climbing up and down some rocks at high altitude (3rd class scramble). These cliffs are serious business and are very high. The water is also fairly cold. Bring extra water and prepare to rock climb! Overall, though the grand canyon of swimming holes!
The Cliffs - One of the best swimming holes in the state of CA. Lots of ledges for sun. A magnificent falls is nestled at the base of the chasm. Great jumping spots all the way up the gorge. Cliffs as high at 400 ft in some places. Sandy and calm beaches at the base.
Arroyo Seco - Just outside of Greenfield, CA in Los Padres National Forest. Plan ahead for this trip since the state parks have closed and this federal park is limiting entry. There are only 29 parking places for visiting the Gorge. Limited access to the Campground and day use area. This Canyon gets really hot! Plan accordingly and bring extra water! It is possible to hike to The Gorge and float all the way back down to the day use area. Start early since the day use area closes at 6 PM and the gates will be locked! If you hike from the day use area add about 1.5 miles onto your hike. The hike from the gate to The Gorge is about 3 miles one way. Therefore, your total hike is between 8-9 miles. That means you need to bring at least two bottles of water!
Weber Creek - Special permission needed to access this great swimming hole. Email me for more information!
Tule River Falls - Awesome swimming hole. This canyon gets really hot, but the hike is fairly short. When we hiked here it was around 112 F in July, 2011. While you are there you might want to consider visiting California Hot Springs!
Yosemite Creek - The water is still very high here. We visited in July, 2011 and could not cross the creek to get to the swimming hole. You may have to approach from the Campground and come up the trail.
Tenaya Lake - Lots of bugs this year in Yosemite! Beware and bring your Badger Bug Balm with Cintronella!
Goat Rock - Great swimming hole, but not that easy to find. If you are looking for warmer waters, head north!
The Cliffs - One of the best swimming holes in the state of CA. Lots of ledges for sun. A magnificent falls is nestled at the base of the chasm. Great jumping spots all the way up the gorge. Cliffs as high at 400 ft in some places. Sandy and calm beaches at the base.
Arroyo Seco - Just outside of Greenfield, CA in Los Padres National Forest. Plan ahead for this trip since the state parks have closed and this federal park is limiting entry. There are only 29 parking places for visiting the Gorge. Limited access to the Campground and day use area. This Canyon gets really hot! Plan accordingly and bring extra water! It is possible to hike to The Gorge and float all the way back down to the day use area. Start early since the day use area closes at 6 PM and the gates will be locked! If you hike from the day use area add about 1.5 miles onto your hike. The hike from the gate to The Gorge is about 3 miles one way. Therefore, your total hike is between 8-9 miles. That means you need to bring at least two bottles of water!
Weber Creek - Special permission needed to access this great swimming hole. Email me for more information!
Tule River Falls - Awesome swimming hole. This canyon gets really hot, but the hike is fairly short. When we hiked here it was around 112 F in July, 2011. While you are there you might want to consider visiting California Hot Springs!
Yosemite Creek - The water is still very high here. We visited in July, 2011 and could not cross the creek to get to the swimming hole. You may have to approach from the Campground and come up the trail.
Tenaya Lake - Lots of bugs this year in Yosemite! Beware and bring your Badger Bug Balm with Cintronella!
Goat Rock - Great swimming hole, but not that easy to find. If you are looking for warmer waters, head north!
Comments by Members - Important Swimming Hole Notes Summer 2010
Candy Rock - Steep single lane dirt and bumpy road for 3 miles all the way until the parking lot! Runs right along a steep cliff. Take it slow. Hike down to the hole is short, but steep (0.5 miles). Bring extra water, the canyon gets hot! (September, 2010)
Buck's Bath - As a local mentioned "If you guys know what is good for you, you will stay off of Beashore Road". What?
We just drove 32 miles on a bumpy dirt road and could have just gone past Bass Lake on 274 and then from North Fork taken Minarets for 38 miles (paved) all the way until Clover Meadow! (September, 2010)
God's Bath - The falls are flowing hard. Probably should wait until August, unless you want to do a wet approach or some rock climbing (posted July 11, 2010)
North Canyon - The water is still high, but there is some great swimming holes there in the canyon. The shortest route is from the South Yuba Campground. (June)
Mountain Dog/South Yuba - The river has cleaned up nicely. A few months ago the river was dirty due to excessive flooding and run off. The water is now crystal clear and perfect for swimming! (June)
Pot #3, Honeymooners - The water is still too high in June for swimming. The snow melt is just starting!
Garden of Eden - This is the perfect time to hit the Garden! The water is deep and not too cold! Lots of people are taking floatation devices all the way down stream to exit at the Garden. (June)
Salmon Hole - A great place in Big Sur. The water is perfect and the swimming is ideal. Note that Limekiln State Park is closed up the street due to State funding issues. (June)
Rainbow Falls - The water levels are high, but good for swimming. No real crowds yet. Get there early! (June)
The Gorge - The water is at a great temperature in June. The river has been depositing more and more sand in The Gorge area making it shallower. It is only about 8 ft deep near the rock impound. Do not dive or jump from the rocks!
Buck's Bath - As a local mentioned "If you guys know what is good for you, you will stay off of Beashore Road". What?
We just drove 32 miles on a bumpy dirt road and could have just gone past Bass Lake on 274 and then from North Fork taken Minarets for 38 miles (paved) all the way until Clover Meadow! (September, 2010)
God's Bath - The falls are flowing hard. Probably should wait until August, unless you want to do a wet approach or some rock climbing (posted July 11, 2010)
North Canyon - The water is still high, but there is some great swimming holes there in the canyon. The shortest route is from the South Yuba Campground. (June)
Mountain Dog/South Yuba - The river has cleaned up nicely. A few months ago the river was dirty due to excessive flooding and run off. The water is now crystal clear and perfect for swimming! (June)
Pot #3, Honeymooners - The water is still too high in June for swimming. The snow melt is just starting!
Garden of Eden - This is the perfect time to hit the Garden! The water is deep and not too cold! Lots of people are taking floatation devices all the way down stream to exit at the Garden. (June)
Salmon Hole - A great place in Big Sur. The water is perfect and the swimming is ideal. Note that Limekiln State Park is closed up the street due to State funding issues. (June)
Rainbow Falls - The water levels are high, but good for swimming. No real crowds yet. Get there early! (June)
The Gorge - The water is at a great temperature in June. The river has been depositing more and more sand in The Gorge area making it shallower. It is only about 8 ft deep near the rock impound. Do not dive or jump from the rocks!
COMMENTS BY MEMBERS - IMPORTANT SWIMMING HOLE NOTES SUMMER 2009
North Canyon - Note that the North Canyon swimming hole is 8.4 miles round trip. The Humbug trail is 2.7 miles. You then need to hike another 1.5 miles on the South Yuba trail to get to the steep switchbacks. Don't forget to bring enough water!
Mushroom Hole - The trail is now blocked. A landowner has constructed an electric fence that prevents access. The only way to reach this hole is by a wet approach.
The Tuolumne - This can be a very hot hike and Canyon. Don't forget to bring enough water! Bathrooms and lunch are available at nearby Evergreen Lodge.
Garden of Eden - The only swimming hole on the San Lorenzo River that has clean swimming water in September.
Yosemite Creek - The water became stagnant in late September. The water is not clean enough to swim in. Pray for rain!
Junction Park - The water levels are the lowest they've been in years. Bring your lunch and have a BBQ instead!
Mushroom Hole - The trail is now blocked. A landowner has constructed an electric fence that prevents access. The only way to reach this hole is by a wet approach.
The Tuolumne - This can be a very hot hike and Canyon. Don't forget to bring enough water! Bathrooms and lunch are available at nearby Evergreen Lodge.
Garden of Eden - The only swimming hole on the San Lorenzo River that has clean swimming water in September.
Yosemite Creek - The water became stagnant in late September. The water is not clean enough to swim in. Pray for rain!
Junction Park - The water levels are the lowest they've been in years. Bring your lunch and have a BBQ instead!
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Candy Rock
I went swimming here in October of 2005 and this is an amazing swimming hole. It is in my top 3 in Sonora and within a 25 mile radius of it.
ReplyDeleteThe high point to jump in is about 20 feet depending on how high the water is. Near that high point is a pit (the radius is only about 4 feet or so if my memory serves me right). Once you jump into this pit you can swim under a rock bridge (all underwater) to get to the main swimming hole. It can be scary if you are not comfortable.
Across this high point is a vertical face you can run along. It is difficult to get to this ledge if you are tall and/or fat because the ledge is narrow and cramped. It is best to do this when your swim trunks are still dry. My first try I fell off and bruised my butt because it is near the very shallow part, which drops off dramatically into an unbelievably deep abyss.
The waterfall has places to sit behind it. It is a lot of fun to swim through the waterfall and sit there for a while. It is loud.
All in all it is an amazing swimming hole and I recommend it to everyone. You have to plan when you are going. The water can be too high or too low depending on the last storm upstream. It can also be too cold depending on the date or time of day because the sun cannot always get between the those hills. When I first jumped in I was not warned and the shock of the cold pushed all the air from my lungs.
*BEWARE: After me and my friends parked on the bridge we had a short hike. Only problem is the trail is lined with poison ivy. Be careful and make sure you know how to recognize it.
I only have pictures from a film camera. So I can't share our shots. It'd be easier for people to see the pit I am talking about because I cannot describe how amazing it is.
Thanks for your comments. I agree!
ReplyDeletehow do you get to this spot? no one really has clear directions. i have been to candy rock in avery near sonora is it close to that?
ReplyDeletedoes anyone have clear directions to give?
Sorry its a secret. I wish they never published in that book :(
DeleteYeah it's secret because what you don't see in these photos is on the way up and right there at God's bath on the rocks they can reach flatlanders have put ugly graffiti all over the rocks with typical penis, poop and garbage themes. Plus they break glass bottles, toss aluminum cans, cigarette butts and lots of other trash all over. People who love the place always pack trash out from the asshats who come up from the city and it's a pain in the butt. Why these people seek out beautiful places to destroy can be difficult to understand.
Deletedoes anyone know how to get here? its not on the map of directions that is listed...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletethis is a joke i went found nothing many people on the internet with many stories no one willing to give clear directions none the same and hostil locals made for a day of driving for nothing
ReplyDeletelocals are hostile because the place has been trashed by visitors who have no respect for nature or others and most likely little self-respect. Cigarette butts, graffiti and other garbage including broken glass. You can pack your full 12 pack of beer in for 30 minutes of hiking but can't carry them out empty? Human garbage. Stay in Stockton. I love good graffiti, don't get me wrong. But this is total trash and in an inappropriate place no true artist would dream of defiling.
DeleteI agree 100%! Leave no trace A-holes!
DeleteGo to sonora ca, take toulumne road to buchannon and take bucannon all the way to the second bridge ( green) you can hike down the mountian, there are ropes down the steap mountian and hike 3/4 mile hike up stream.
ReplyDeleteThis is about as accurate as you can get, I've only been there because my friend who took me grew up in the area.
Deleteit's about 1/2 mile down the mountain before you get to the right stream. It's an offshoot of the main river which branches. If you drive over 5 miles you've gone too far.
DeleteAs previously mentioned; the most suitable way for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender individuals to find a sizegenetics parlor that caters to their tastes is usually to search the internet. The internet relates to the perfect place for any alternative lifestyle community and which also is why the LGBT community has thrived in recent years. The internet has given this group of people a new way to connect with each other well which may be simple, efficient and. It has allowed the LGBT to rally around their community and more firmly plant themselves in society. For instance gay sizegenetics parlors.
ReplyDeletehttp://buysizegeneticsonline.tumblr.com/
^Wow, not related at all.^
DeleteThat's for sure...confusing.
DeleteLGTBs hang out there
DeleteTheir is a reason why people won't disclose the location to Gods Bath, 7Pools, or lady bug lagoon! People don't leave the area as they found it! I'm not local to the area, but have been going there since the 80's!
ReplyDeleteUsed to be one great swim. Unfortunately, it burned down/was heavily damaged in the rim-fire. not much left. :(
ReplyDeletethis is one of those gems that you learn to get to via locals or friends that have been there.
ReplyDeleteIts a beautiful place. Grew up here and as mentioned....the Rim Fire destroyed the natural beauty of the area.
ReplyDeleteIMPORTANT NOTICE!!! My friends and I made a trip to Gods Bath YESTERDAY and traveled all the way from San Francisco, to find the last 3 miles of ROAD IS CLOSED FOR construction until DECEMBER 2018. The fine if you drive on the road is $5000. According to a park ranger it is a 3 mile (walk) to the swim holes from the nearest place you can park outside of this safety area, but we didn't come prepared enough to do that (shoe wise).
ReplyDeleteHow come no one has mentioned this before? Seems like a lie
DeleteTrue story bro happen to me but we walked a mile and half before someone stopped us nd said go back hoprfully its ready this summer perfect spot to hang out at...
DeleteClosed (permanently?) now due to even more fires in the area, doesn't look like it will open anytime soon. (As of August 2018)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA lot of people are littering, leaving their beer cans, beverages, picnic food, wrappers all along the trail as well as at the site. Please, if you do go, pack out everything you brought with you. Respect nature and keep this place beautiful. What you leave there will stay there forever, because this is a secret spot, there is no one that is coming to clean this place up. It is all up to you to clean after yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThis is not hard to find like everyone says it is. Once you get onto buchannon road, you drive all the way until the second bridge you drive over. It is very far down the road and may feel like you have missed it or are going to wrong way but keep driving until you drive over the second bridge. Once there park on the side of the road, you will probably see other cars parked. Then you have to hike down the mountain with a rope (be prepared it is steep). Once down to the river, hike up stream about 20 minutes or until you get to the end. Once you are there you will know because it is the very end and has a waterfall.
ReplyDeleteHey, can someone give me clear directions? Im trying to take my sister for her 16th birthday this year means so much to her! she beat cancer and this is on her bucket list!! if you can please help out. i understand a lot of folks litter but we are not that type. thanks.
ReplyDeleteHey, can someone give me clear directions? Im trying to take my sister for her 16th birthday this year means so much to her! she beat cancer and this is on her bucket list!! if you can please help out. i understand a lot of folks litter but we are not that type. thanks.
ReplyDeleteLiterally, use Google maps. Type gods bath california in Google maps and it gives the right location. Once you get there, people are walking down the path to the water and just ask for help if needed.
DeleteLiterally, use Google maps. Type gods bath california in Google maps and it gives the right location. Once you get there, people are walking down the path to the water and just ask for help if needed.
DeleteIs the trail still closed due to fire? My girlfriend and I would like to go back since we haven't been in two years
ReplyDeleteCalifornia has no poison ivy. We do have poison oak.
ReplyDeletePLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELVES and BE SAFE
ReplyDeleteBeen going here since early 2000s and recently due to the internet its location has been advertised and people from the city, like they tend to do, trash the place and get injured. Just this week two unprepared people were injured there and had to be air lifted out. This place is not lake and is dangerous. Please, if you go, pack light and bring a trash bag. We unfortunately can't keep the disrespectful people from coming out, but we can do our part to clean up after the children that can't clean up after themselves.