Hiking Cinder Cone Trail

view of grey boiling springs lake with caked mud surrounding shore

Start: parking area west of Warner Valley Campground
Round Trip Distance: 3 miles
Round Trip Time: 2 hours
Terrain: easy 200 foot climb
Elevation: 5800 feet

 

Mill Creek Falls is the highest waterfall in the park with a drop of 75 feet. It is at the junction of East Sulphur and Bumpass creeks. Because of the surrounding forest and rugged terrain there are only two or three points from which it can be photographed.

The trail descends to the crossing of West Sulphur Creek, crosses an open hillside (see photo in gallery) and follows through forested areas to the falls. Deer are likely to be seen as well as a variety of birds. Mulesears is the common wildflower that covers the open hillside and usually is in full bloom by July. Many other wildflowers, including the blue and white stickseed, can be seen. There are good views of Brokeoff Mountain and Mt. Diller.

The trail continues beyond the crossing of East Sulphur and Bumpass Creeks, past Crumbaugh Lake, and on to the Kings Creek Picnic Area (a steep 750 ft climb, see Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh Lakes trail).

 
 

Snow is likely to be found in places along the trail until mid-July.

Last updated: March 31, 2012

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Mailing Address:

PO Box 100
Mineral, CA 96063

Phone:

530 595-4480

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