MCARTHUR-BURNEY FALLS MEMORIAL STATE PARK
Activity: Scenic Views, Nature Walk
Date: June 2, 2020
Distance 1 1/4 mile, 157’ elevation change, 1 hour duration, rated Easy
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by not only this falls, but the Nature Walk. I was traveling from backpacking Lassen National Park, 40 miles away, and I had just spent time at the Subway Cave. I had a lot of miles to drive on my way to adventures in Oregon, so I was a little put off that it was going to cost $10 when I really just wanted to take a quick look at the falls and then hit the road.
But… I was really taken aback by the beauty of Burney Falls, a magical place indeed, worth every penny, and I throughly enjoyed my time there. Once I laid eyes on the falls I could see why many say this is the most exquisite falls in California. Burney Falls is really different then other falls. It has two main streams with shards of water falling 129’ through space, but what sets it apart is the surround curtain of water cascading to the limpid pool below. Teddy Roosevelt dubbed Burney Falls the 8th Wonder of the World when he first saw it. What is unique is that curtain of water. The additional water is permeating through the porous rock and trickling down out of the cliff walls about a third of the way down and not from over the top like the two heavy streams.
Instead of the few minutes glance over the side that I had planned, I immersed myself in the Burney Falls Loop Trail, which is really more of a Nature Walk, but it is a pleasant stroll along the rushing stream with a heavy growth of firs, deciduous trees, wild flowers and pee-a-boo views of the falls along the way. I would recommend taking the trail clockwise for the best views as you get closer to the falls. When I was there they were doing maintenance on the bridge above the falls, so I was turned back, and I basically had to do the whole trail twice, but no complains here as it is quite enjoyable.
Rainbow Bridge
The whole area outside of Lassen Volcanic National Park is volcanic as you can see during this stroll through the lava rocks. 
You never know when you might find yourself “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“, I thought I was going to take a quick glance and instead found myself seeking that balance that we are all striving for. What better place to enjoy a moment, take a breath, and just drink it all in. What in nature is more wondrous then a gorgeous waterfall? You just become transfixed watching the water tumbling, and falling through space that you lose track of time. Thanks for joining me at Burney Falls, more to come for “Pursuing Balance Through Adventure“ – NoCal Hiking so give a quick COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE. While you are at it go to the menu above and checkout where I went after I left NoCal, (which was the Pacific Northwest) each of the locations is a separate website and thus needs to be FOLLOWED independently. Need a high performance, moisture wicking shirt for your adventure? Checkout SHOP APPAREL.
Happy Trails,
Roger Jenkins
Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
NoCal Hiking 