Cascade Falls

Mt Tamalpais / Fairfax, California, USA

About Cascade Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Cascade Falls is a pretty diminutive 20ft waterfall, but it was one of the “easier” waterfall hikes we did in Marin County.

Like with other waterfalls in this county, suburban developments fringed on the Elliott Nature Preserve, which this waterfall resided in.

Cascade_Falls_014_04092010 - Cascade Falls
Cascade Falls

The preserve sat at the end of the residential Cascade Drive (see directions below).

After finding parking in one of the limited spaces along Cascade Drive, we then walked to the end of the road, where a gate and a sign indicating the Elliott Nature Preserve welcomed us.

From there, a wide open trail descended past a sign and towards a fork.

The wider path on the left crossed San Anselmo Creek while the narrower path on the right (called the High Water Trail) skirted the same creek without crossing it.

Cascade Falls Trail Description – the Main Trail along San Anselmo Creek

Cascade_Falls_098_04192019 - The main trail to Cascade Falls involved crossing San Anselmo Creek at least twice
The main trail to Cascade Falls involved crossing San Anselmo Creek at least twice

After crossing San Anselmo Creek, the path entered a wooded area along the so-called Public Trail.

There were other trails branching off from this main trail to other camps or road accesses.

However, I generally followed the main path alongside San Anselmo Creek before reaching an opening and ultimately another crossing of the creek.

Since this trail was flatter, if San Anselmo Creek was running low, then it would be the more desirable path to take.

Cascade_Falls_088_04192019 - The Public Trail passing through an open area before merging with the High Water Trail shortly after the next crossing of San Anselmo Creek
The Public Trail passing through an open area before merging with the High Water Trail shortly after the next crossing of San Anselmo Creek

Generally, this option would be doable most of the time (requiring some nifty rock hopping to keep the feet dry).

However, if San Anselmo Creek happened to run high, then the High Water Trail would be the preferred alternate since it never has to cross the creek (hence the trail’s name).

Cascade Falls Trail Description – the High Water Trail along San Anselmo Creek

The High Water Trail began by skirting the banks of San Anselmo Creek.

Some of the narrowness, eroded sections, and undulations of the trail made me question whether this path was legitimate or not.

Cascade_Falls_011_04192019 - Following the so-called High Water Trail alongside San Anselmo Creek en route to Cascade Falls
Following the so-called High Water Trail alongside San Anselmo Creek en route to Cascade Falls

In any case, it seemed like this trail happened to be more trafficked than the main trail probably because of the creek crossing.

Anyways, true to its name, the High Water Trail climbs fairly high above the banks of San Anselmo Creek.

Eventually, the trail would descend and merge with the main trail just beyond the second creek crossing.

I’d argue that it’d still be wise to wear hiking boots on this High Water Trail given how easily eroded its banks can be.

Cascade_Falls_015_04192019 - The High Water Trail didn't have to cross San Anselmo Creek, but it was narrower, undulating, and prone to erosion
The High Water Trail didn’t have to cross San Anselmo Creek, but it was narrower, undulating, and prone to erosion

After all, it clings to the hills and embankments above San Anselmo Creek.

Cascade Falls Trail Description – the rest of the way to the waterfall

Both the High Water Trail and the main trail merge beyond the second crossing of San Anselmo Creek.

Then, the trail continues to follow along the creek as it makes another climb then descent towards a footbridge over Cascade Creek.

After crossing the footbridge over Cascade Creek at the bottom of this hill, the trail then reached another junction.

Cascade_Falls_021_04092010 - The footbridge over Cascade Creek, where the path continued to the right as it led up to Cascade Falls
The footbridge over Cascade Creek, where the path continued to the right as it led up to Cascade Falls

This time, the junction was between the San Anselmo Creek Trail and the Cascade Falls Trail. Keeping right at the junction, the trail then narrowed as it followed along Cascade Creek.

After another quarter-mile of slightly uphill hiking, we finally arrived at the Cascade Falls.

We best enjoyed the views of the falls from a rock outcropping with a pure frontal view of the dimunitive 20ft or so waterfall.

I also managed to get more angled views from what appeared to be a continuation of the trail going up towards Cascade Falls’ top.

Cascade_Falls_042_04192019 - Cascade Falls as seen in my April 2019 visit
Cascade Falls as seen in my April 2019 visit

Although I had read that it might be possible to scramble further upstream towards other waterfalls like the so-called Plunge Pool, the trail seemed to have disappeared beyond the top of Cascade Falls.

So I didn’t pursue this any further.

The Plunge Pool and Upper Cascade Falls

I actually took some time to explore whether it was worth going up and beyond the main Cascade Falls.

In order to attempt this, I had to backtrack on the Cascade Creek Trail to the footbridge and junction with the San Anselmo Creek Trail.

Cascade_Falls_065_04192019 - A fork in the trail downstream alongside San Anselmo Creek from the junction at the footbridge over Cascade Creek. The trail on the right was supposed to go up to the Plunge Pool and possibly the Upper Cascade Falls
A fork in the trail downstream alongside San Anselmo Creek from the junction at the footbridge over Cascade Creek. The trail on the right was supposed to go up to the Plunge Pool and possibly the Upper Cascade Falls

After briefly hiking the San Anselmo Creek Trail further downstream beyond the footbridge, the trail then forked.

This was where I took the uphill fork as it relentlessly climbed and rounded a bend in the general direction of the Cascade Creek.

I didn’t pursue this path any further when I realized that the trail seemed to move away from Cascade Creek for a significant stretch.

So that indicated to me that the Plunge Pool was still a ways away (possibly at least 1.5 miles or so in each direction).

Cascade_Falls_071_04192019 - The trail to the Plunge Pool climbed away from Cascade Creek before going another 1.5 miles or so to the upper waterfall on Cascade Creek, which I didn't end up doing
The trail to the Plunge Pool climbed away from Cascade Creek before going another 1.5 miles or so to the upper waterfall on Cascade Creek, which I didn’t end up doing

So I turned back and returned to the trailhead.

Overall, this excursion took me about 90 minutes (probably would have taken me only 60 minutes without pursuing the Plunge Pool).

Authorities

Cascade Falls resides in the Cascade Canyon Preserve and the trail runs through the Elliott Nature Preserve near San Rafaelin Marin County, California. It is administered by Marin County Parks. For information or inquiries about the park as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: tamalpais, marin, fairfax, san francisco, bay area, central coast, california, waterfall, elliott nature reserve, high water trail



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