Mighty Burney Falls are twin cascades that vertically plunge 129 feet into a deep and large sapphire pool. Creamy streams of water flow from their sides over moss and rock, supplementing a breathtaking falls that are known world wide. This hike (fee charged) takes you to three special vantage points for photographing these spring fed falls. A vast underground reservoir feeds Burney Creek a daily supply of several million gallons of crystal cold water. You'll follow trails that trace the course of swift and powerful Burney Creek from both sides, and traipse in deep forest to Lake Britton, which features a rare combination of fish for a mountain lake, including crappie, trout, bass and bluegill. In the autumn, cherish the brilliant colors of the dogwoods, vine maples and black oaks. In winter, when you're apt to have the whole place to yourself on a weekday, slippery ice sometimes forms in shady spots along the trail. The first view of massive and wide Burney Falls happens right off via the Falls Overlook. Watch for black swifts darting amazingly near the surging cascades. An asphalt path snakes down to the bottom of the falls, where you can sniff deeply as the residual spray caresses and cools your face. Stroll along this main path as it leaves the falls behind, passing by flowering currant (white flowers in spring) and huge chunks of moss covered basalt talus that fell and piled up from the cliff rim above. Stay straight at the trail junction at the bridge (.4 mile), and follow Burney Creek Trail in a forest of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, incense cedar, Oregon white oak and black oak. Stay left (.9 mile) where the Rim Trail (right) climbs in forest back to the campground and trailhead (an option for shortening the hike). Continue another third of a mile to a swimming beach at Lake Britton, a shimmering lake set in a gorge. Note the lake water is much warmer than chilly Burney Creek.

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