Corlieu Falls

This article includes historical images which have been upscaled by an AI process. This will have introduced speculative and possibly inaccurate details not present in the source material. Such images should be replaced with their original versions. (March 2024)

Corlieu Falls
Location	Sierra National Forest, Madera County, California, US
Coordinates	37°24′58″N 119°37′29″W / 37.41611°N 119.62473°W / 37.41611; -119.62473[1]
Type	Tiered
Watercourse	Lewis Creek

Corlieu Falls, situated in the Sierra National Forest near the community of Sugar 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 via Highway 41. This location attracts hikers and nature lovers, presenting them with the spectacle of water tumbling through dense second 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 to Fresno County, California. By 1880, he was living in Auberry 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 in Fresno, before becoming a gold miner by the 1920 census. His wife, Dora, and two of their children later moved to Oakland, 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 warm mineral springs along Lewis Creek. He secured mineral claims there and constructed a cabin. Corlieu ingeniously crafted a unique hot 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 President Theodore 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 book Sierra 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 a lumber flume used by the Madera Sugar Pine Company for transporting lumber to Madera, 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]

• USDA Forest Service – Lewis Creek Trail