SECRET WHISKEYTOWN HIKE INCLUDES HISTORY LESSON
REAL ESTATE PRACTICE, REDDING LIFESTYLES, REDDING RECREATION, SHASTA COUNTY
September 15th, 2008
Crystal Creek Ditch Trail
A hundred years ago, this ditch was dug to deliver precious water to the Tower House District and the Camden’s mill and gardens. In 2000 this, historic ditch was restored, requiring considerable effort and expense by staff from Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, including flumes that carry the water around a sharp bend and steep cliff above Crystal Creek.
This easy 1 mile out and one mile back Crystal Creek Ditch Trail is nearly level as it follows the ditch from the clean out house to the diversion dam. Along the way you will encounter the gang plank walkway along the metal flume attached to a cliff above aptly named Crystal Creek. Near the ditch’s diversion
is a short 15 foot tunnel carved through solid rock. Just upstream is the small dam and gated weir that determines the quantity of water that will enter the ditch.
The clean out house was added in 1913, a few years after the ditches completion. Water entering the clean out house turns a paddle that turns a huge rake that cleans the debris out of the water before it drops down a pipe that leads far down the mountain and back up the other side beneath Hwy 299 to a ditch on the hillside above the highway. From there, the water travels east to large storage tanks high above the Camden’s orchard, gardens and mill. (To view slide show of Chrystal Creek Ditch Trail click link below) http://vt.realbiz360.com/Listing-65061.html
A beautiful setting and swimming hole await you....
To reach the trailhead, take Hwy 299 west from Redding to Crystal Creek Road, just 1/2 mile past the French Gulch turnoff. Turn left and cross the bridge and look for the small parking area on the left. Be sure to have a park pass!
530-224-6767 or 530-941-7492
BRAD GARBUTT
REALTOR/BROKER ASSOCIATE
REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS GMAC
QUARTER CENTURY LOCAL REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE
