Cascade Falls

Mt Tamalpais / Fairfax / Marin County, California, USA

Rating: 1     Difficulty: 2
Cascade Falls

TABLE OF CONTENTS



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INTRODUCTION

Cascade Falls is a pretty diminutive 20ft waterfall, but it was one of the "easier" waterfall hikes we did in Marin County, and it seemed there were a lot of memorable things about the excursion itself.

For starters, the waterfall sat within the Elliott Nature Reserve, which itself was at the end of a road within a residential area. We didn't expect to find something this naturesque with civilization close by, and even then we were pleasantly surprised by the absence of urban blight that usually accompanied places close to development. In fact, we were even surprised by a wild turkey that dashed out in front of us during our hike.

I've read that there's also an upper waterfall beyond the main falls, but we didn't do it. From what we could tell, the trail didn't go beyond the waterfall pictured above.

The 2-mile round trip hike along the High Water Trail undulated on some minor hills with some minor dropoff exposure and some minor rock hopping on tributary streams. After crossing a bridge over Cascade Creek, we turned right and follow the trail alongside the stream until we reached the falls itself. We believed that this was the shortest way to go though there seemed to be plenty of other ways to do this hike.




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PHOTO JOURNAL

When headed back south from Mt Tamalpais to San Francisco, it's definitely worth making a detour to the Golden Gate Bridge State Park, where you can get this gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and the Pacific Ocean. Just bring a jumper because it gets really chilly here, even in mid-SummerWhen headed back south from Mt Tamalpais to San Francisco, it's definitely worth making a detour to the Golden Gate Bridge State Park, where you can get this gorgeous view of the famous bridge
About 2 hours drive to the north from the Mt Tamalpais Watershed was Napa Valley, which was well known for wine, but it also surprised us as it also featured this geyserAbout 2 hours drive to the north from the Mt Tamalpais Watershed was Napa Valley, which was well known for wine, but it also surprised us as it also featured this geyser
Of course, Napa Valley has no shortage of vineyards, some of which are good for tastings, while others have scenery like thisOf course, Napa Valley has no shortage of vineyards, some of which are good for tastings, while others have scenery like this
The end of Cascade DriveThe end of Cascade Drive and the beginning of the Elliott Nature Reserve

Along the High Water TrailAlong the High Water Trail

Julie traversing a minor creek crossingJulie traversing a minor creek crossing

The narrowest part of the trailThe narrowest part of the trail

Wild turkeyWe spotted some wild turkey during this hike

Turn right after this bridge over Cascade CreekTurn right after this bridge over Cascade Creek

Cascade Falls and a railing nearbyFinally at Cascade Falls


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VIDEOS OF THE FALLS


Fixated on the upper section of the falls


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DRIVING DIRECTIONS

To get to the trailhead from the town of Fairfax, drive on the Fairfax-Bolinas Road for about 0.3 miles (passing through a pretty charming part of town) until it intersects with Cascade Drive (there are a pair of pillars flanking this road).

Follow Cascade Drive (passing through a residential area) to its end at around 1.5 miles. The Elliott Nature Reserve begins at the end of the road, however, you'll have to find street parking along the shoulder as signs there prevent parking on the pavement and some prevent parking on one side of the street. Furthermore, you'll want to be mindful not to block anyone's driveway.

The effect of all these restrictions is that you'll probably have to find a pullout further down the road, which will increase your hiking distance a bit. It was certainly the case during our visit

For some geographical context, Fairfax was 22 miles (45 minutes drive) north of San Francisco.




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ITINERARIES

For more information about our itineraries involving this waterfall, check out the following links.




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MAP OF THE FALLS



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TRIP REPORTS

For more information about our experiences with this waterfall, check out the following travel stories.




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TRIP PLANNING RESOURCES


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NEARBY WATERFALLS




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