By Michelle Portesi
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Cascade Falls along the Bayview Trail, with Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe seen in the distance. (Photo by Michelle Portesi)
I try to do all of the hikes that have waterfalls earlier in the summer season, especially when we’ve had sparse snowfall the previous winter. Cascade Creek that feeds the falls can slow to a trickle, and often by the height of summer, disappear entirely.
The Bayview Trail is one of my favorites. The parking area is located across the highway from Inspiration Point Vista on Emerald Bay, and it’s a wonderfully moderate day hike that will take you past Cascade Lake, up to Cascade Falls and beyond, with views of Lake Tahoe in the distance. There is also a campground there at the entrance, if you are so inclined, right off of Highway 89. (If you’re camping, bring plenty of food and gear. It’s a loooooong way to the nearest market and/or restaurant for eats and supplies.)
Early in the season, Cascade Creek can be so intense, that it is hard to get past all the water engorged tributaries that are gushing around you. Go a little later in the season, and you can kick off your shoes and hike up the middle of the boulder strewn creek for a ways, the granite smoothed to tenderfoot friendly appeal from eons of rushing snow melt. An abundance of flora lines the canyon, Sugar pines, cedars, spirea, wild lupine, alders, ferns and mountain ash. The latter will be filled with brilliant red berries if you do this hike closer to the fall.
Pack a lunch, find a nice wide boulder under a shady tree and relax while the music of water burbles all around you.
Two of our AAUW Gourmet Group Gals relax along Cascade Creek
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 
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