Cataract Falls - California Waterfalls; Mt. Tamalpais, Fairfax-hike/trail/map/directions

Cataract Falls actually consists of about 9 separate cascade waterfalls along Cataract Creek, depending on how you count them. They are all in the neighborhood of 25 ft. to 70 ft., and are all quite different and quite impressive when Cataract Creek is flowing well. The best time to see these waterfalls is after a good rain. If it has not rained in a while, Cataract Creek will probably just be a little trickle, and it will not be worth your time to come here. This is common with many of the waterfalls in the California coastal area.

The hike is an absolutely gorgeous hike along the creek through a forest of Redwoods. You are never far away from the next waterfall as you climb up and past the rushing creek. It is non-stop excitement, but takes quite awhile to complete this hike because you are always stopping to look at the waterfalls and take pictures. The first four waterfalls really could be considered one single waterfall, as they are all in a row, with only a small break between them. I would really consider them to be one large 230 ft. high waterfall, which makes it the highest waterfall in the SF Bay area. For illustration purposes, however, I will separate the cascades out into four waterfalls, as you cannot see all four from a single location. Waterfalls five and six are separate falls, and are located just a little bit above #4. Numbers seven, eight, and nine are located a distance above #6, after hiking awhile along a flatter, tranquil section of the creek. All of the waterfalls except one (Fall #4) are located within easy view of the trail or just a short scramble down to the creekside. Fall #4 is difficult to scramble down to, and bypassed by most people, but is arguably the prettiest of all of them. Once you reach the end of the trail at the Laurel Dell picnic area, it is an easy hike back to the trailhead where you parked, and just as enjoyable to see the waterfalls on the way down.

4 Miles ENE Bolinas CA (Elev. 797 ft)

Tonight
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 51. South wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 49 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Thursday
Rain. High near 57. South wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
Thursday Night
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 54. South wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 44 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Friday
Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. High near 61. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 39 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday Night
Rain. Low around 51. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday
Rain likely, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 60. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Sunday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Sunday Night
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Monday Night
Rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Tuesday
Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 60.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.