South Lake Tahoe, CA: Cascade Creek Falls

An easy out-and-back from the Bayview Campground, this 1.5-miler begins by cruising a recently thinned stretch of spruce and ponderosa forest. A sweeping right turn and a small climb lead to a rugged, exposed, granite-lined section of trail (best hiked in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is less harsh).
Just a few hundred feet from Cascade Creek, this route follows a trail marker downhill to the left for a close-up of the falls. Watch your step near the sheer rock face, but take advantage of small wading pools and sticky granite that make exploring the fall’s upper reaches easy and fun.
From the top of the falls, this route turns west and climbs alongside the creek for a spectacular view of the sloping face of Mount Tallac. You could spend lots of time exploring the basin on the creek’s west side, but this route turns east back to the trail marker and backtracks toward the trailhead.
-Mapped by Kristy Holland

Trail Facts

• Distance: 2.4

Waypoints

CCF001

Location: 38.944015, -120.099728

Trailhead parking is limited, so arrive early for a good spot. Stop to read wilderness regulations before following the signed trail on the lot’s south side.

CCF002

Location: 38.942938, -120.09946

After a short descent, follow the trail through an open pine and spruce forest. Up ahead you’ll climb a hill and begin a traverse across a granite hillside toward the falls.

CCF003

Location: 38.940861, -120.100232

Several rocky steps lead to the edge of the hill and your first look at Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe in the distance. Admire the view, but keep your eyes on the trail while you’re moving: it gets rockier here.

CCF004

Location: 38.936639, -120.101507

The trail narrows at this rock face, watch your step and look left for views of both lakes.

CCF005

Location: 38.935257, -120.101866

This wooden post points toward the creek and the falls. Follow the hand-stacked rocks straight ahead down the hill toward the falls, which are just a few hundred feet away.

CCF006

Location: 38.934844, -120.101416

The water cascades down the cliff to the left, but to the right, are small pools of gentle water at the base of the basin. Wade around and spend some time exploring before turning uphill alongside the creek.

CCF007

Location: 38.934614, -120.102413

This route turns back to the trail and closes a small loop at the wooden trail marker you passed earlier. If you want to add some distance and have time to spare, consider crossing the creek and wandering the slope of Mount Tallac before heading back to the trailhead.

Wildflowers near Cascade Creek Falls

Location: 38.934848, -120.101383

Ferns, wildflowers, cedar, and cottonwood grow near the waterfall.

Kiosk

Location: 38.943539, -120.100061

The trailhead kiosk provides information about the Desolation Wilderness Area and is also the place to register for day-use permits for other area hikes. A permit is not required for this short route.

Trail

Location: 38.940064, -120.100452

Hikers can see Mount Tallac in the distance and Cascade Lake below the trail.

Wall

Location: 38.936638, -120.10137

The trail cuts across a steep face toward a large basin above Cascade Creek Falls.

Post

Location: 38.935259, -120.101828

Follow the arrow on this sign down the hill toward the falls.

Bridge

Location: 38.934612, -120.102375

A small log bridge provides access to the basin, or a scenic spot to admire Mount Tallac before retracing your steps to the trailhead.