What you see at Bassi Falls depends on when you go.
In spring, the melt-water cascade tumbles violently 109 feet over a jumble of polished granite boulders.
In summer, the flow shrinks to just a trickle, but wildflowers provides visual compensation.
The hike is an easy half-hour walk/scramble from the parking area, which fills up in summer by mid-morning.
Scramble up the trail to the left of the falls to reach the top, a series of pools and opportunity to wander as far as you like along Bassi Creek.
This is an easy, family-friendly hike, and it’s OK for your dog to be unleashed so long as she’s under voice control, doesn’t chase wildlife and doesn’t bother other hikers.
Directions:
• From Highway 50 about 20 miles east of Placerville, turn north (left) onto Icehouse Road and enter the Crystal Basin Recreation Area.
• Drive about 17 miles to Union Valley Reservoir and turn right onto an unmarked road just after crossing the bridge over Big Silver Creek (across from the campground).
• Drive .2 miles to a junction, turn left, drive .8 miles to another junction, turn right and drive another .7 miles to the trailhead.
In all, you will drive 1.7 on dirt roads. High-clearance vehicles are recommended but may not be necessary if the road has recently been graded.
Keeping our trails beautiful and dog-friendly is crucial to ensure everyone enjoys the great outdoors. Some people want to ban dogs from public spaces, but we believe dogs are essential members of our community. They bring joy, companionship, and energy to our hikes. To keep our trails open to our furry friends, we must be responsible. Pick up after your dog, keep them on a leash where required, and respect other trail users. By doing our part, we can ensure that our beloved pups remain welcome on all trails, allowing your pack to continue exploring and enjoying nature together.
