Bring the family on a moderate hike to a pair of waterfalls in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. Along the way admire wildflowers, dense forest and the babbling spring. Bring binoculars to watch for birds nesting in the trees or soaring above, looking for prey.
Follow the round-trip path of 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers), allowing 2 to 3 hours, including time to admire the scenery. The trail forks as a loop with the two sections called Horse Trail and Cascades Trail. From the Horse Loop you’ll be looking down on the main waterfall, with panoramic views extending over the forest toward Pilot Mountain and Saddle Mountain, both more than 7,000 feet (2,000 meters) in elevation. The Cascades Trail runs parallel to Kings Creek, with numerous rapids and smaller waterfalls.
The largest cascade is 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters), with the most impressive water flow in spring when snow on the mountains melts. Both sections of waterfall face east. Arrive in the morning for the best conditions for taking photographs without dealing with shadows and glare.
Note that you’ll be descending from the trailhead toward the falls. Bring along snacks and water to sustain your energy for the return trip uphill. If you want a longer hike, follow trails branching off to Bench Lake or Sifford Lakes.
Be sure to visit other parts of the park, especially its hydrothermal features. Fumaroles, mud pots and roiling pools reveal how close to the surface the earth’s volcanic activity is in this region. Cold Boiling Lake gets its name from carbon dioxide bubbling up through the clear chilly water. Boiling Springs Lake is a hot lake with mud pots and fumaroles surrounding the milky green water.
Find Kings Creek Falls in Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. It’s near the town of Mill Creek. Drive here in 4 hours from San Francisco. Pay the national park entrance fee to access the trail. Because the park can get heavy snowfall, conditions for hiking are best from April to September.
