North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve map pdf.
Geography and Geology
Table Mountain is a prominent table-like geologic formation located north of Oroville, CA and west of Lake Oroville in Butte County. It's easily seen from Highway 99 to the east once you've passed the Thermolito Afterbay. Table Mountain was likely formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. The basalt, known as the Lovejoy, flowed into a stream valley and filled it up. Eventually the surrounding valley walls eroded away leaving just the flat-topped basalt. In geography, this is called inverted topography. The same Lovejoy basalt can be found in Upper Bidwell Park and parts of Paradise. Even more interesting, this basalt can also be seen at Black Butte Lake! Basalt is mined off of Table Mountain and used for semi-improved roads or parking lots. See the Table Mountain topographic map online.
Wildflowers
Part of Table Mountain is open to the public off of Cherokee Road and is a popular spot to go for wildflower season. Vernal pools on North Table Mountain provide habitat for some rare flowering plants. It has its own little ecological world up there.
Waterfalls
Twin Ravine Falls is one of many waterfalls that spill off of the top of North Table Mountain in winter and spring. Within California the cluster of many waterfalls on North Table Mountain is second only to that of Yosemite Valley. Phantom Falls Trail provides hiking access to the top of the waterfall where it spills off Table Mountain and down into Coal Canyon.
Photo Galleries
* BRT 27feb2011, BRT 20feb2011, Ben Sheriff 09jan2011, jchip8 15april2010, latoga photography 07april2010, Different Apple 02april2010, Eric in SF 27mar2010, Lauren Brooks 06march2010, swirey 25oct2009, AlanS 11april2009, GMadwin 30march2009, slm125 08mar2009, Jennifer-Sierra Angel 08mar2008, raybouk 05mar2007, kareninca 30april2006, hikerchick395 15april2006, birdgal5 23oct2005, SuziR 09april2005, thesilverfox007 - 27mar2005.
Videos
* BRT 20feb2011, ayjayphoto 28nov2010, gregmuelrath pt2 25june2010, gregmuelrath pt1 25june2010, bonairefans pt2 11april2010, bonairefans pt1 08april2010, mrphilmont58 10april2010, Subterranean4 - 03march2010, waykuy 05april2009, cmmndr312 06april2008, AlexanderWolfe 21aug2006, AlexanderWolfe pt2 21aug2006, RVesely video.
More Information
* North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve - CA Dept Fish & Game * North Table Mountain: Beauty, Majesty and Wonder - CA Dept Fish & Game - pdf with pictures. * Table Mountain history, hikes, access, aerial photos - Larry Matthews * North Table Mountain - Experience Butte County * Table Mountain wildflowers - El Dorado Chapter, California Native Plant Society * North Table Mountain : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost
See more nearby hiking trails in Butte County, Glenn County, Plumas County and Tehama County.
Comments
2011-02-24 14:53:14 We saw some great waterfalls while hiking at Table Mountain in February. An unexpected bonus was to see the first few wildflowers of the season. —BruceThomas
