Maple Spring, Siskiyou County, CA

## Overview Maple Spring is a remote natural spring tucked into the rugged backcountry of Siskiyou County, California, along the Callahan-Cecilville Road corridor. Situated at an elevation in the Klamath Mountains — a region known for its complex geology of ancient oceanic crust, metamorphic rock, and serpentinite formations — this spring flows year-round, offering visitors a steady, impressive flow of clear water. The spring is reported to fill a 7-gallon container quickly, a testament to its strong output. The water appears clear and has been described by visitors as pure-tasting, though no laboratory water quality tests are known to have been conducted. As with any wild spring, water quality can vary with season and conditions. Maple Spring is free to access and open to the public 24 hours a day with no posted limits on water collection. That said, reaching it is a genuine challenge — the spring sits a few meters off the road in dense woods, and even with accurate GPS coordinates (41.211404, -123.046171), locating the exact spot requires careful navigation and a good sense of direction. ## Directions 1. **Start in Callahan, CA** (the nearest small town with services). 2. Take **Callahan-Cecilville Road** heading **west**. 3. Drive approximately **21.5 miles** along this winding mountain road. 4. The spring will be on your **right side**, set back a few meters into the woods. 5. Find a safe place to **pull off and park** along the road — there is no formal parking area. 6. Walk into the woods a short distance to reach the spring. The terrain is uneven, so watch your footing. **Important:** Callahan-Cecilville Road is a narrow, winding mountain road that can be rough in places. Check road conditions before heading out, especially in winter or early spring when snow and washouts are possible. ## What to Expect **Terrain & Difficulty:** Reaching Maple Spring requires more than a casual stroll. While the spring is only a short walk from the road, the surrounding woods are dense and disorienting. The original submitter describes expert-level navigation skills as necessary — not because of distance, but because the spring is easy to miss and there are no marked trails or signage leading to it. A GPS device or smartphone with offline maps and the coordinates loaded is strongly recommended. **Water Flow:** The spring reportedly flows strongly throughout the year, producing clear water at an impressive rate. Visitors have noted that large containers fill quickly. **Surroundings:** This is deep Siskiyou County backcountry. The area is heavily forested, remote, and sparsely populated. Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent. If you get turned around, there are unlikely to be other people nearby to ask for help. **Best Time to Visit:** Daylight hours only. The submitter strongly advises against visiting after sunset or before sunrise due to the difficulty of navigation and the remote, unlit terrain. Summer and early fall offer the best road and weather conditions. **Tips for a Successful Visit:** - Load the GPS coordinates (41.211404, -123.046171) into your device before you lose cell signal. - Bring sturdy footwear — the walk from the road involves uneven, wooded ground. - Have a plan for the return, especially if you're carrying heavy water containers downhill. - Let someone know your plans before heading into this remote area. - Carry enough fuel — there are no gas stations along Callahan-Cecilville Road.