Cascade Falls in full force

By Kathryn Reed

From a distance, Cascade Falls is more impressive than it is when you are right on top of it.

With the abundance of snow still in the higher elevations, the water may be tumbling well into summer. It is definitely rushing at a rapid pace now.

Cascade Falls is rushing fast this time of year. Photos/Kathryn Reed

The main fall is 200-feet long. This year a couple offshoots are nearby and visible when walking the trail.

Rated “easy” by the U.S. Forest Service, this trail that is accessed at the far end of the Bayview Campground near Emerald Bay is extremely popular. If seclusion is what you are looking for, drive on by. If the grandeur of Mother Nature is what’s calling you, hike the less than 1 mile to the falls.

I wouldn’t recommend it for little dogs, but that didn’t stop others on the trail this particular Monday. And I definitely would not walk it in sandals, but still, people were.

Cascade Falls is one of those waterfalls that is more impressive at a distance or to listen to than it is to see up close.

Approaching along the granite-lined trail the noise of what sounds like a freight train grows louder. Then the falls come into view. It’s one of those moments to remember because pictures can’t do this scene justice.

It’s as though a spigot is attached to the wall of granite in this corner of Desolation Wilderness. The catch basin is the private Cascade Lake.

At the top of the falls are what looks like several waterways tripping over the smooth granite dotted with trees and bushes. They form one large swath as they go over the side, forming the waterfall.

Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe are visible from the top.

Now is the best time to see Cascade Falls because the water is gushing. Just don’t be in a rush – people and beauty are apt to slow you down.

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