 | This articlecontains historical images which have beenupscaled using AI. This will have introduced speculative and possibly inaccurate details. Such images should bereplaced with their original versions. Relevant discussion may be found on thetalk page.(March 2024) |
| Corlieu Falls | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Corlieu Falls | |
| Location | Sierra National Forest,Madera County, California, US |
| Coordinates | 37°24′58″N119°37′29″W / 37.41611°N 119.62473°W /37.41611; -119.62473[1] |
| Type | Tiered |
| Watercourse | Lewis Creek |
Corlieu Falls, situated in theSierra National Forest near the community ofSugar Pine, is celebrated for its scenic beauty and rich history.[2] Named after Charles Clifford Corlieu, an early pioneer of the region, the falls are a prominent feature along the Lewis Creek Trail, accessible viaHighway 41. This location attracts hikers and nature lovers, presenting them with the spectacle of water tumbling through densesecond growth forest.
Corlieu Falls is named after Charles Clifford Corlieu, who was born in 1861 in Missouri. After losing family members early in life, he moved with his relatives toFresno County, California. By 1880, he was living inAuberry Valley, and in 1884, he married C. Dora McDonald. Charles's life was marked by several conflicts, including a significant 1896 dispute with the Blasingame family over land and livestock.[3][4]
Throughout his life, Corlieu held various jobs, from farming to working as a courthouse janitor inFresno, before becoming a gold miner by the 1920 census. His wife, Dora, and two of their children later moved toOakland, with Dora listing herself as a widow.[5]
In his later years, Corlieu visited his daughter in Sugar Pine and became attached to the area, especially the warmmineral springs along Lewis Creek. He secured mineral claims there and constructed a cabin. Corlieu ingeniously crafted a uniquehot tub by carving into a boulder and directing spring water into this natural basin. This outdoor hot tub drew many visitors, with reports suggesting even PresidentTheodore Roosevelt was among them. Additionally, Corlieu built a second cabin with a view of the falls, earning himself the nickname "Cliff Man."[5]
Corlieu expanded his interests into writing and published the bookSierra Sanctum: Written Reveries of a Cliff Man in 1926. In the 1930s, a resort was built at Corlieu Falls, but it was dismantled in the 1940s. Later, Charles's son-in-law, Samuel L. Mobley, further developed the area, which was ultimately returned to its natural state in the 1960s.[5]
Corlieu is buried near the falls, although the precise location of his grave is unknown.[5]
Corlieu Falls is accessible via the Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail (21E06), a 3.7-mile route that stretches from Sugar Pine to Cedar Valley. The trail follows the historical course of alumber flume used by theMadera Sugar Pine Company for transporting lumber toMadera, and hikers can spot remains of this old infrastructure along the way. Notable sights include Corlieu and Red Rock waterfalls, as well as vibrant seasonal flora, especially in spring. The trail's difficulty ranges from moderate to steep, and it ascends about 977 ft (298 m) feet in elevation. Visitors should exercise caution at Corlieu Falls, as there have been accidents resulting in fatalities.[6]