King’s Creek was our destination for hiking today.
Parasitic Beauty
Along the drive, I finally saw a place to pull over so I could get pictures of a really cool plant that I saw yesterday growing along the park road. The Snow Plant is bright red and is found in conifer forests like this one. It grows mostly underground and is a parasite that steals glucose from fungi in tree roots rather than making it through photosynthesis like most plants. Its scientific name means “the bloody flesh-like thing” which sounds disgusting, but it is strikingly beautiful flower stalk.
King’s Creek Waterfall Hike
There is roadside parking for the King’s Creek trailhead which gives a moderate hike to see a 30-foot waterfall. The difficulty lies in the steep return since this is an “inverted” hike as the trail guide mentioned. The easier walk down is first, then the butt-kicking climb back up is second where almost 900 feet of elevation is gained quickly at an elevation of 7,000+ feet to start with. Our flat lander, prairie lungs were working hard.
We got to see a beautiful mountain meadow and wetlands while walking through some of the burned out areas from the Dixie Fire of four years ago. Some spots had surviving trees, and others had complete devastation. It was a three-mile round trip and we were ready for lunch when we returned.
Some of the trail markings from before the fire can still be seen on the burned trees, but the color coating was melted off from the intense heat.
On our steep ascent, I saw some Lassen Paintbrush, which is rare, and found mostly in this King’s Creek area. The other two pictures are of striking native plants. I continue to have to catch up to Tony on the trail as I stop to take plant pictures.
Cold Boiling Lake
Nearby King’s Creek picnic area is a great place for lunch and then more hiking. The Cold Boiling Lake sounded interesting so we set out for that easy 1.5-mile hike. Carbon Dioxide gas seeps up from the lakebed which makes it look like it is boiling. We then discovered that the back way into Bumpass Hell is not closed, but that will have to wait until our next trip. It sounds like a really cool part of the park with turquoise pools and steam vents like Yellowstone, but it is too late in the afternoon and we need fresh legs to hike it.
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