Burney Falls Loop

Have you ever gone to see a movie because everyone is just gushing about how good that movie is, only to leave feeling disappointed and wondering what all the talk was about? Well, not once have I had that experience in nature. In fact, I often find that descriptions and photos are lacking when it comes to Mother Nature's creations. Burney Falls is definitely one of those places where a picture may be worth a thousand words, but none of those words can accurately depict the magic that created this place.

With a clear agenda of visiting the falls and enjoying a picnic lunch, we headed out to McArthur Burney Falls State Park mid-morning. There was a line at the gate when we arrived, and the parking lot was almost full. I was a little apprehensive because I am used to trails with very few people on them. I was pleasantly surprised to find that most people stayed at the lookout areas, so we had the trail pretty much to ourselves.

We headed right, downhill, from the parking lot. This direction took us down some steps and a paved, stone walkway, and right in front of the falls. Oh. My. Gosh.

Like I said, there are no words...

The falls were massive and so wide! The cliff was covered with beautiful green lichen, moss, and ferns. The river was cascading over the ledge in two giant falls, and there were hundreds of smaller streams coming right out of the cliff face. The smaller falls trickled down the plants and granite, intertwining and creating a web-like effect as they merged with the gorgeous pool of water below.

I have never seen anything like it. How on earth were there so many little streams of water, and why were they coming out of the cliff several feet below the river? I was baffled...and you all know I'm a Nature Nerd, so I had to find out what was going on.

Well, it turns out that the water from the falls comes from snow on Burney Mountain. The melting snow seeps through cracks in the basalt, forming an underground reservoir that flows further downstream through an "underground network of ancient river channels". Part of the reservoir is forced to the surface and flows down the river and to the falls. However, the majority of the water continues to flow underground between layers of gravel and fragmented rock, before seeping out of the face of the cliff.

Gosh, I literally had to stop typing for a moment, I'm in such awe. I could go on and on about how amazing water is. (This is one of those; "not the first time and won't be the last", moments.) Once again, the cycle of vapor to liquid to solid and back to liquid, pushes itself forward under and through and around and above the earth, to cascade down a cliff and create one of the most spectacular sights and sounds you could imagine.

Yes, I could have stood there all day watching the magic happen. But there was a trail in front of me, and I had to see what else Mother Nature had in store. Heading away from the falls (I think I was on the north side of the river, but we all know I'm really bad at directions.) the dirt path was surrounded by giant pines and so much greenery. There were areas where giant rocks were cascading down the side of the hill, as if there had been an avalanche, and the rocks were covered in soft, green moss.

This trail being a loop, we got to cross over the river on an arched bridge and then head back toward the falls on the other side of the river. The trail on this side was gorgeous. The path had a slow incline and meandered along the river and through the lush, riparian greenery. Flowers were showing off their colorful, spring blooms, as the sun peeked at us through the boughs of the pines above.

There were several benches along the trail, offering an opportunity to rest and take it all in. To be still. To notice the fat, little lizard stilting to cool off. To hear the birds chirping and the sound of the water rushing by. To feel the air breeze through your hair and the warmth of the sun on your skin. Places like this are such a gift.

Continuing on, I came to Fisherman's Bridge, where I actually saw two anglers casting their lines in the water. I crossed over and headed toward the parking lot. For just a moment, I could see the pool of water at the bottom of the falls, and a tiny rainbow reflecting off of the mist. My list of places that you "have" to visit when you're in the area keeps growing, and this one might just be at the top.