Hot Springs Creek Falls

Location

Hot Springs Creek Falls: 38.6962 N, 119.8591 W

Middle Hot Springs Creek Falls: 38.6965 N, 121.8597 W

Upper Hot Springs Creek Falls: 38.6969 N, 121.8612 W

USGS Topo: Markleeville

Directions

From the CA-88/CA-89 intersection southeast of Lake Tahoe take CA-89 south towards Markleeville. In Markleeville turn right onto Hot Springs Road and follow it to the park. After ~3.5 miles turn right to go through the fee station ($8 when I was there). Continue past the fee station to the trailhead parking area near the Quaking Aspen Campground. From the trailhead the path heads west along the northern edge of the meadow and reaches the main waterfall after ~1.5 miles (be sure to stay left at the intersection with the Burnside Lake Trail). The Middle Falls are just upstream of the main waterfall and the Upper Falls (a double waterfall) is a little further upstream from there. There are also fairly large cascades further upstream from the Upper Falls as well. The trail leads you to the eastern side of the creek but the best views of the main waterfall are from the western side of the creek. I accomplished this by crossing the creek on a fallen tree in between the Middle and Upper Falls (not recommended) and following the western side of the creek downstream. If it is possible it would be better to cross the creek below the main waterfall.