Wildflower and Waterfall
Self-guided Tours in Plumas County, Northern
California
 The
Lakes Basin Recreation Area offers
renowned wildflower viewing in late June and
July, depending on snowmelt. There are
dozens of trails that interlink and lead to
waterfalls.
Amatuer botanist Bill Harnach of Calpine
recommends the Grassy Lake Trail, “for
someone who wants to go slow.” The Grassy
Lake Trail begins at the parking lot at
Lakes Basin campground, where wildflower
viewers can find a plethora of plants right
in the parking lot, including Columbine,
creek dogwood, parsnip, buck wheat, and
yarrow. The trail crosses into a rocky zone
where you’ll find mariposa lilies and
huckleberry oak. The trail continues on down
through a wet zone with lilies, orchids and
bog bean, and father down in a shrubby zone
there is coffee berry and twin berry. The
trail then comes out on a rock knoll with
buckwheat and sedums. This is a good spot to
have lunch, overlooking the creek.
This trail intersects with the Long Lake
Trail to
Gray Eagle Lodge, which offers a worthy
side trip to Halsey Falls. Harnach also
recommends the Bear Lake Loop trail as well
as the trails to Fern Falls and Frazier
Falls.
Long Lake Trail- This trail takes off
from either the road leading past Lakes
Basin Campground or the road to Gray Eagle
Lodge, both located off Gold Lake R oad
south of Graeagle. The Lakes Basin
Campground is off is off Gold Lake Road
about 6.5 miles from Hwy. 89, with a paved
road leading to the trailheads. Head
straight ahead (avoid the side trails) on
the easy, but well worn pathway. The Gray
Eagle Lodge turnoff is about 5 miles up Gold
Lake Rd. from HWY 89; turn right and
continue a bit over a quarter mile to the
signed trailhead turnoff just west of Gray
Eagle Creek. The trail climbs gradually
nearly 3 miles past the Lily Lake Trail and
Grassy Lake Trail intersection and Long Lake
to the Mount Elwell and Mud Lake Trails.
There are several loops and alternative
paths along the way, each taking you to cool
mountain lakes and eventually to the
Pacific Crest
Trail.
For more waterfall locations see
Waterfalls West- this site is a great
waterfall resource.
 Frazier
Falls- (Pictured left) A gentle paved
trail into a scenic fenced overlook of the
250-foot falls. The trail-head is located on
Old Gold Lake Road, about 6 miles from HWY
89/Gold Lake Rd. intersection. About 1 3/4
miles up the present Gold Lake Rd, take the
signed, narrow paved access road on the left
for about four miles to the trailhead. This
is a great picnic site with restrooms. This
hike takes about half an hour roundtrip.
Halsey Falls-
(Pictured right) 1 mile south of Graeagle.
Turn left (west) on Gold Lake Hwy (Road 24),
signed for Gold Lake. Drive 5 miles south to
the sign for Gray Eagle Lodge. Turn right
and drive to the trailhead on the right for
Smith Lake and Gray Eagle Creek (before the
lodge, turn right on a short side road
leading to the trailhead). The trail to
Halsey Falls starts on the left side of the
parking lot.
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