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Though this may be the largest accessible waterfall along Stevens Creek, I found it was somewhat of a letdown (for the effort required to reach it at least). While in Stevens Canyon, Stevens Creek meanders mostly through open areas bordered by talus fields and rock slides, but about halfway between Unicorn and Maple Creeks it enters a section of heavily wooded forest, where it enters a small gorge and drops over a step in the valley floor. The creek makes a tight 90 degree turn above the falls, causing the waterfall to shoot towards the trail, as well as making it a little awkward to view. Though it looks like the bottom of the falls is obstructed by the small ridge in the foreground, the bottom lies immediately below the line of sight, so not much is obscured, as it first appears. During lower flows, the falls revert from a Fan form to a narrow Punchbowl form.
- Sylvia Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
Sylvia Falls is said to have been named by former park ranger William Stafford, for a female acquaintance - whether romantically or not is not known.
Sylvia Falls is accessed from a stretch of the Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon. Most direct access is as follows. Drive 2.9 miles east of Reflection Lakes, or about 5.5 miles west of Box Canyon to an unsigned pullout on the downhill side of the road, where the Wonderland Trail crosses SR 706. Park and walk down the road for about 50 feet to the signed Wonderland Trail. Follow the moderately steep trail for 2/3 mile to Martha Falls, then another .9 mile to Sylvia Falls (1 1/2 miles total), which is encountered shortly after the trail enters a stretch of the canyon which is heavily wooded.
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