Jumps/USA/California/Hatchet Falls
DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS*

Hatchet Falls Cliff Diving

Montgomery Creek, California, United States

Jump spotSpot Type
WaterWater Type
60 ftJump Height
See notesWater Depth
See notesLedge Approach

DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS*

Alert details for this jump spot

Hatchet Falls is a freshwater waterfall pool jump spot near Montgomery Creek, California. The reported height is up to about 60 ft, but access and landing conditions must be verified on site.

DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS: confirm legal access, depth, landing clearance, and a safe exit before treating Hatchet Falls as jumpable.

Overview

Jumping at Hatchet Falls: At a Glance

Hatchet Falls is a Hatchet Creek Falls jump area with tall reported ledges. Treat this guide as a planning overview, then verify access, water level, landing depth, and exits at the site before considering a jump.

Quick Answer

Hatchet Falls is a freshwater waterfall pool jump spot near Montgomery Creek, California. The reported height is up to about 60 ft, but access and landing conditions must be verified on site.

Key Takeaway

DANGEROUS WATER CONDITIONS: confirm legal access, depth, landing clearance, and a safe exit before treating Hatchet Falls as jumpable.

Conditions and planning notes

Important Info for Cliff Diving at Hatchet Falls

Water Depth

Falls pools must be checked for depth, submerged logs, and shifting rock.

Access

Check current access, parking, wildfire or road closures, and water conditions before visiting.

Approach

Walk in carefully, scout the landing from below, and avoid high ledges in early-season runoff.

Hazards

Waterfall hydraulics, changing flow, slick rock, submerged debris, and limited rescue access are the main concerns.

Ledge Notes

Creekside ledges and logs can be slick, narrow, and unstable.

Safety Notes

Scout with a partner, avoid jumping alone, and leave if waterfall hydraulics, changing flow, slick rock, submerged debris, and limited rescue access are the main concerns.

Loading map

Map location

Hatchet Falls

Montgomery Creek, California, United States

40.87516, -121.94166

60 ftWater pending

Quick Facts

RegionCalifornia
LocationMontgomery Creek area
Nearest AddressSee map
Coordinates40.87516, -121.94166
DirectionsGoogle Maps
Jump TypeJump spot
Water TypeWater
Jump Height60 ft
Water DepthVerify onsite
Ledge ApproachVaries seasonally
Best SeasonVaries seasonally

Look Before You Jump

Check current rules and open dates
Verify water depth from the water, not the ledge
Confirm exits and swimming routes
Inspect water clarity and submerged hazards
Read posted signs and respect closures
View all guides

What to know about Cliff jumping at Hatchet Falls.

Hatchet Falls sits around Montgomery Creek, California, United States, putting this waterfall or plunge-pool spot in the orbit of Montgomery Creek and the broader California area of United States. Use the saved coordinates and current map view as a starting point, then confirm the exact approach locally because cliff-jumping access can change around parks, private land, roads, shorelines, and water-management areas.

In warmer dry regions, summer heat, drought, flash flooding, and reservoir levels can change the usable water quickly. Conditions are not static: rain, snowmelt, drought, changing water levels, current, and weekend crowding can all change what looks like the same jump from one visit to the next. Treat saved route notes as background, not as a present-day clearance to jump.

The main assumed risks include cold or changing lake levels, submerged shelves, boat traffic, difficult exits, and limited rescue access. Even when the location appears open, access is separate from safety; a reachable ledge is not proof that jumping is allowed or sensible. Before anyone climbs to a ledge, inspect the landing zone from the water, identify the exit, look for submerged rocks or debris, and be willing to walk away if the depth, footing, legality, or rescue options are uncertain.

FAQs

Common questions about Cliff Diving at Hatchet Falls.

Is Hatchet Falls safe for cliff jumping?+
Safety depends on current access, water level, landing depth, weather, and exit conditions. Scout in person and skip the spot if anything is unclear.
How high is Hatchet Falls?+
The available height note says up to about 60 ft. Treat that as an estimate until measured from the exact takeoff point.
What should I check before visiting Hatchet Falls?+
Check legal access, parking, weather, water conditions, landing clearance, and whether you have a reliable way out of the water.

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