After leaving Lassen, we headed up Highway 44 towards our turnoff to Susanville. Matt asked me, “Want to go to Burney Falls? We have the time.” “Umm, I don’t want to get home too late because of the dogs. But I think…” “Screw it. We’re going.” And off we went up Highway 89.
On the drive, it was pretty neat to see all of the burn area from recent wildfires and how much land it covered. They saved so many homes from danger. It even crossed the road and threatened some homes on that side. I wish I had taken pictures of it, but I didn’t think of it until just now.
We turned into McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park. So green with tall trees and a cool, sunny day. I was beyond stoked to get out of the car and start exploring! As soon as I opened up the door, I could hear the loud crashing of the falls. I was even more excited. Rushing Matt to get over there, I had my camera in hand, ready to start snapping away. First stop, the view from the top, about 30 yards from the parking lot.
As we walked down the path to the bottom of the falls, Matt and I kept finding little objects or cool views to snap shots of. He’d be looking at a view of the wall while I’d be photographing a macro shot of a tiny mushroom.
Halfway down the walkway provided us with some pretty cool views of the falls. We were at the perfect elevation, providing me with better angles and shots. For a moment, I was able to just take in the pure beauty of what Mother Nature has created and allowed myself to be grateful for the opportunity to experience it.
We decided we wanted to walk the Falls Loop Trail, which was only 1.5 miles. I had never been in an area that was so moist and covered in moss and mushrooms. The moss was so vibrantly green and the mushroom had such a cool detail on their bottom sides. It was like walking into a fairytale. I never thought I’d ever get to take pictures of things like that. These were things that you’d see in magazines. And here I was, snapping away, adding them to my camera’s memory card.
To get across the river, you had to cross a bridge. It was called the Rainbow bridge because of it’s shape. A really neat, old wooden bridge, that was a little hard to climb up over without some determination.
Now, on the other side of bridge, there was a wooden bench with a saying carved in it. They were all along the trail, different quotes by different people. It was very neat and inspiring while being out in that beautiful landscape.
As we walked up the steep trail along the side of the mountain to get to the top, it was just awesome scenery (to me at least). Fallen trees, stone steps, wooden fences. I truly find the beauty in all parts of nature.
We made it to the top and I was totally bummed that there wasn’t an ample spot to see the top of the falls. I wanted to get a picture, but that would require me to go past the limit lines. So we kept walking and made it to Fisherman’s Bridge, the one that crossed back over the upper river. Matt and I were having too much fun writing/playing in the frost on the handrails.
We walked back to the car after our hike and drove down to Lake Britton at the bottom of the hill. We didn’t stay long because I was getting tired and hungry, along with missing my pups. So we made our way to the town of Burney, picked up some food and drove the trek back to Susanville, then to Reno.
All in all, it was an amazing adventure and I am so thankful for my boyfriend making the executive decision to go there. He knows me too well and proves it with all his actions. I will forever remember that adventure with him.
Until the next adventure, keep exploring everyone!
Adventure Is All You Need 
I agree with you about the awesome scenery (so its not just you)! The pics of the woods seem very dark and creepy – I wouldn’t like to be there during the night!