34. Kings Creek Falls and Sifford Lakes

Length:	5.3 miles round trip
Hiking time:	3 hours
High point:	7,200 feet
Total elevation gain:	500 feet
Difficulty:	easy
Water:	available from Kings Creek and Sifford Lakes; purify first
Maps:	USGS 7.5' Reading Peak, park brochure
Information:	Lassen Volcanic National Park

Hike through verdant, flower-filled meadows bordering the cascading waters of Kings Creek to a 50-foot waterfall, then escape the crowds by hiking up to the Sifford Lakes, where tranquility and good swimming await. You can camp overnight at the lakes, but get a back-
country permit from park headquarters.

Drive to post 32 on Highway 89, which is 16.7 miles from the intersection of Highways 44 and 89 and 17.5 miles from the intersection of Highways 36 and 89, and park in the lot on the north side of the road.

The trail leaves from the road's south side and immediately parallels the meadow that borders the clear waters of Kings Creek. As you pass under the branches of mountain hemlock, red fir, western white pine, and lodgepole pine, look out into the meadow for grazing deer. Go left at a trail fork at 0.4 mile and then right at another fork at 0.6 mile. The gentler left trail rejoins your trail before reaching the falls.

The path now descends a rocky stretch next to a series of small cascades; watch your step. The route levels after leaving the cascades behind and then meets the trail to Sifford Lakes at 1 mile. Go left for the last 100 yards to the top of Kings Creek Falls. Here you'll see the roaring water tumbling 50 feet from a lush meadow to the rocks below.

After steeping yourself in the beauty of this spot, retrace your steps and cross the creek on a wooden bridge at the trail fork for Sifford Lakes. After a stiff initial climb, the path passes under a talus cliff with two small caves near the top and then, 0.6 mile from Kings Creek, reaches shallow Bench Lake, which usually dries up by late summer. Ascend gently to a trail fork 0.4 mile past Bench Lake; go right and climb 0.3 mile to another trail fork. Go left for the final 0.4 mile to the first of the Sifford Lakes, a lake deep enough for swimming. A faint trail continues along the lake's edge and heads 0.4 mile northwest to the other Sifford Lakes. The next lake encountered offers excellent swimming and two campsites. You can easily visit the other small, shallow lakes in the flat basin by walking cross-country.

Once you've finished exploring the Sifford Lakes, head back down the main trail 0.4 mile below the first Sifford Lake to the trail fork. Go left and hike downhill 0.9 mile to Kings Creek. Cross the creek and rejoin the previously traveled path for the last 0.4 mile to the trailhead.