KINGS CREEK
Contributed by Dave Dobak
FACTS
Country: United States
Location: Lassen Volcanic
National Park, California
Round trip: To Kings Creek Falls: 3.9km along creek, 4.8km along horse trail; 2km additional to Bench Lake
Start elevation: 2,200m
Final Elevation: 2,040m at Kings Creek Falls;
2,100m at Bench Lake
Maps: 1:42,500 Lassen Volcanic National Park, Earthwalk Press
GETTING THERE
The trailhead is on the park road, just east of Kings Creek Picnic Area
PARTIAL PLANT LIST
Apocynum androsaemifolium
Calochortus leichlinii
Calochortus nudus
Castilleja sp.
Chrysolepis sempervirens
Eriogonum sp.
Hieracium horridum
Ledum glandulosum
Lotus oblongifolius
Lupinus obtusilobus
Mimulus lewisii
Mimulus breweri
Orthocarpus cuspidatus
Penstemon newberryi
Polygonum davisiae
Pyrola picta
Sphenosciadium capitellatum
Tofieldia occidentalis
Cryptogramma cascadensis
Woodsia scopulina
One of the most popular trails in the park leads to Kings Creek Falls. It begins traversing meadows, and then descends, steeply at times, a narrow canyon carved by the creek. Orthocarpus cuspidatus and Lilium pardalinum grow in the meadow. On the rocky outcrops are chinquapin (Chrysolepis=Castanopsis sempervirens) and Penstemon newberryi.
Both Calochortus leichtlinii and C. nudus grew here and there. The slender annual Mimulus breweri was scattered on the sandy flats, and lots of M. lewisii grew streamside. A short side excursion leads to Bench Lake where Ledum glandulosum and Lupinus obtusilobus grow.
KINGS CREEK GALLERY.
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