41. Burney Falls

Length:	4.9 miles round trip
Hiking time:	3 hours
High point:	3,000 feet
Total elevation gain:	300 feet
Difficulty:	easy
Season:	year-round; occasional winter snow
Water:	available near the visitor's information center, in campgrounds, and from Burney Creek (purify first)
Maps:	USGS 7.5' Burney Falls
Information:	McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park

This state park offers an easy family hike year-round. Burney Falls is breathtaking, and everyone enjoys Burney Creek's lush coolness and the soothing sound of wind through the pine and fir.

From the junction of Highways 299 and 89, take Highway 89 north for 6 miles, then turn left and follow signs for McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. Park in the lot just beyond the check-in station.

First, buy a brochure that explains what you'll see at the twenty-four numbered posts along Falls Trail. Then follow your ears in the direction of roaring water, which brings you to the falls overlook. Springs from a vast underground reservoir feed Burney Creek a daily supply of 200 million gallons of clear, cold water, which then crashes 129 feet over Burney Falls into a deep aqua-blue pool.

From the falls overlook, head downhill on the paved trail. After 300 feet it bends left, taking you to the edge of the huge pool at the falls' base, where cool mists from the pounding water caress your face.

Follow the path downstream. Just before Falls Trail turns left and crosses a footbridge, stay straight and begin Burney Creek Trail, which follows Burney Creek downstream 0.8 mile to Lake Britton. After passing through a forest of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar, the trail skirts the edge of Lake Britton and then reaches a trail fork 0.5 mile from the bridge. Go left and walk 0.3 mile down to the lake's shore, where you'll find a picnic area and swimming beach. (If you desire, take the right-hand Rim Trail, which climbs up to the canyon rim and then back to the falls overlook.)

Return to the footbridge just below Burney Falls, then cross it, pausing at the center to admire the cold water rushing below your feet. Turn right on the other side of the bridge onto P.S.E.A. Trail. This path, well shaded by Douglas fir, white alder, and dogwood, stretches a level and peaceful 0.5 mile along Burney Creek. The trail ends at a gate, near some tranquil spots where you can picnic and watch the water flow.

When you're ready to continue, go back to Falls Trail and follow it uphill, enjoying a view of the falls along the way. A trail fork awaits at the top; go right, then immediately left onto the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). Travel the famous PCT for 0.7 mile through the forest to a bridge across Burney Creek. Note that Burney Creek has very little water here; most of the springs that feed Burney Falls enter downstream. Turn left just past the bridge onto Headwaters Trail, which travels near the creek and reaches a trail fork after 0.5 mile. Turn left to a bridge, where you'll see the now-rushing waters of Burney Creek just before the big plunge. When you're finished, go back to Headwaters Trail, turn left, and walk 0.1 mile back to the falls overlook and the parking lot.