Surprise of Burney Falls

We were running low on drinking/bottled water so decided to run to Burney, California - about a 30 mile journey north of here - to do some quick grocery shopping, enough to get us by until we move to near Reno, Nevada tomorrow.  One of our previous camper neighbors here asked if we had visited Burney Falls which is near the town.  We saw it as something to do but we have seen so many falls over our travels that did not have that pull to go.  But, since we were going back to Burney, why not?

Water flowing between cracks as well as above ground

What a surprise.  Not that the water pouring over is huge or that it is not a tall waterfall or that it is shaped as a wedding veil.  What we found is that yes, there is a waterfall and it is pretty, but how the water gets there to begin with.  Snow melt from Burney Mountain flows down the mountain and seeps into the porous ground which is basalt (volcanic) rock.  Spring time the water volume is so great that the creek is above ground, as well below, at least 25 miles from the mountain and in the late summer and fall the water is so low that only 1/2 mile from the falls is the creek seen above ground. Eventually the water moves on to a reservoir that then moves into Sacramento River and eventually flows out to the Pacific Ocean underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.  You could see where the water is seeping out from underground layers of rock as well as that which is flowing above ground at the falls.  Pretty cool.

Foot bridge over Burney Creek

We walked the 1.2 mile loop around the falls, done very nicely. Two foot bridges cross the creek and the trail is well worn, seems this is a big draw for people to come here. Saw some anglers wading in the creek. I got another surprise when at the top of the falls where there is a bridge to cross, the Pacific Crest Trail intersects here and there is signage that shows the path to either Mexico or Canada.

Canada seems a better choice!

Today is our last day in this area, has been educational, scary, relaxing, had live entertainment with the 6th graders, and fun.  And dusty.  The fire warning is now at extreme high level which means that we do not want to linger around here when the fall thunderstorms come in.  A disaster waiting to happen.
Tomorrow morning we pack up and head to Truckee, California which is just west of Lake Tahoe/Reno area.  Will be there for about a week before heading down to Picacho.

Last night I tried to get a picture of the kids running around with their flashlights.  We remarked to the teacher that it was fun to watch them with their lights running around in the dark.  She said that the lights were the Pacific Fireflies. To paint a picture for you - imagine looking into the dark forest and you see small bright lights moving around some high, some low, some moving quickly, some flickering on and off, and zing they move past you.  Then soon you see another group of lights coming towards you and then pass you.  Very cute.  They have packed up and left just now to go to Shasta Mountain for the day and then back home.  Was fun seeing them and watching them  Made us very tired, their energy levels were amazing.  Oh, to be that young again.

Mr. Hawk

One last note - Mr. Hawk (from Crater Lake) has been with us this week.  He has been hunting around our camp and the other afternoon came and landed right above us.  He really blends in with that Ponderosa Pine. You can hear him calling during the day.  This guy is big, quick and watches our every move!  Keep Grace inside!