Cataract Falls in Marin County is probably the best-known waterfall in the Bay Area, and for good reason. It gets really big after a spring rain, sprouting up to nine silvery cascades, some more than 50 feet high, plunging purposefully down the Cataract Creek streambed. The surrounding forest, with its moss- and lichen-covered rocks, ferny ground cover, gnarly oaks and sentinel redwoods, can seem an enchanted place, especially just after a rain.

Though just 2.6 miles round trip, the Cataract Falls Trail has a 750-foot elevation gain over the span of a mile. The unrelenting grade will having you stopping more than once to catch your breath, give your dog a pat, admire the raging stream and deplete your cell-phone battery taking pictures. Wooden stairs ease the climb in several places, but you’ll still have to scramble over stray roots and boulders. The Laurel Dell picnic area at the top of the ravine is a great place to celebrate the climb. (We should also mention that it’s possible to hike down from the top, cutting the distance to the falls from 1.3 upward miles to just a quarter-mile with a 240-foot drop.)

Cataract Falls is on the north slope of Mount Tamalpais, within the dog-friendly Marin Municipal Water District.

If you go any time of year except after a heavy rain, you might be under-whelmed.  But in the wake of a good spring drenching, the Uvas Canyon Waterfall Loop Trail near Morgan Hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains rewards with easy footing and sights to put a smile on your face and a wag on Spot’s tail. Think of the 1-mile path, with its multiple footbridges and lush, rocky backdrop, as a scenic promenade with a rushing-water sound track. You’ll come first to Black Rock Falls, which impresses with a loud and zesty 30-foot drop. About a tenth of a mile past the far end of the loop are the smaller Upper Falls and Basin Falls, the latter of which is an idyllic spot for a picnic.

You and Spot can get some aerobics in by extending your hike to 5-plus miles—and enjoying a fourth waterfall in the bargain. Cross over Swanson Creek at the far western end of the Waterfall Loop, switchback your way up the Contour Trail and take a break on the ridge to catch your breath before continuing on to Triple Falls, the most secluded cascade in Uvas Canyon County Park. Going this route subjects you to a stout, 1,400-foot elevation gain, so be sure to pack some energy bars for yourself and some extra kibble for your four-legged friend.

Got a four-wheel-drive vehicle and an extra towel or two? You’ll need high clearance to navigate the last 2.5 miles of dirt road leading to the Codfish Creek Falls trailhead between Weimar and Foresthill in Placer County’s  Auburn State Recreation Area. (The towels are for wiping Pete’s muddy paws.)

Getting there is part of an adventure that continues with an easy walk for about 1.2 miles along an old mining trail hugging the grassy slopes above the North Fork of the American River. Pay attention in this area, and you’ll spy mounds of dredged tailings on the riverbanks—and mounds of brilliant orange poppies and purple lupine, too.

The well maintained path turns right at Codfish Creek and continues in the shade for another quarter-mile to the falls, which spill 60 feet down a steeply sloped streambed. At this time of year, you’ll get full green on the grass, full gush on the cascade and a wildflower show, besides. Pick up a trail brochure at the marker about a quarter-mile from the trailhead, or download one before you go to better appreciate the flora and fauna to be enjoyed along the way.

Seeing Mother Nature at work is always a thrill, especially when the thrill is as close at hand as Cascade Canyon Falls, a modest but worthwhile cascade just a mile from downtown Fairfax in Marin County. It’s a two-hour, out-and-back trek to the star attraction, a silver stream tumbling 20 feet or so down a chute in San Anselmo Creek. This is the most popular hike in Marin County’s 498-acre Cascade Canyon Open Space, and it can get crowded on spring weekends and after a heavy rain, when the falls are at their most gusty. You’re likely to see lots of four-legged hikers putting paws to the path with their uprights, who must be leashed at all times.

The park is not well signed, so pay close attention if you don’t see others on the trail. From the parking area at the end of Cascade Drive, walk to the information kiosk and bear right on High Water Trail, which follows the pretty stream and is closed to cyclists. About a quarter mile in, bear right onto a fire road that takes you, after .4 miles, to Cascade Falls Trail. It’s another half-mile to the falls, where rough rock steps lead to a viewing platform. Have someone snap a photo of you and Fido with the waterfall in the background, and you’re good to go.

Since we last checked in with German Shepherd Rescue of Sacramento Valley, they've been quite busy— their official 501(c)3 status is now pending with the IRS (a big milestone in any rescue's history, especially for purposes of tax-deductible donations!), and they've helped get many dogs who landed in shelters to safety with new families. Brian Foran, who runs the program and its sanctuary, has rescued and placed dozens of dogs a year since 2001. Unfortunately, a lack of foster homes limits GSRSV from rescuing more dogs from shelters. These days, especially with the preponderance of house foreclosures, GSRSV is kept busy helping owners who need to find new homes for their dogs. With its Program Dogs option, GSRSV evaluates and spreads the word about the dog, who remains in his or her original home until the right adopter comes along.

A great foster-home success story is Maya, now 4 years old. This girl came into rescue with a severe case of separation anxiety, but after much work by her foster family, she is now unfazed by long absences from her people, such as a normal work day. She's great with kids, loves to go on hikes and enjoys the active life, but also has good house manners and enjoys a quiet snuggle at home. A big dog, she's not a good candidate for a home with cats or small dogs.

(A great way to help support GSRSV: tell your friends to subscribe to the DogTrekker newsletter and designate GSRSV as the recipient of the $1 donation we give to rescue for each new subscriber!)

Photo Credits:

"Cataract Falls" - Jamison Weiser
"Cascade Falls" - Peter McCluskey
"Miles and Joy at Uvas Canyon" - 2Feet4Paws
"Maya" - GSRSV