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. Some of them have separate names also (Helen Markt Falls, Midway Falls, Laurel Dell Falls). 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
Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Saturday
Increasing clouds, with a high near 55. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night
A 40 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 43. West wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday
Rain, mainly before 11am. High near 55. Southeast wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Sunday Night
Rain likely, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Monday
Rain likely, mainly before 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Monday Night
A 30 percent chance of rain, mainly before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Tuesday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Tuesday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Wednesday
A chance of rain, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Wednesday Night
A chance of rain. Partly cloudy, with a low around 44.
Thursday
A chance of rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 55.
Thursday Night
A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.