Willow Creek

Willow Creek Trail climbs from the north shore of Bass Lake into Sierra National Forest, following its namesake creek up through granite country to two waterfalls that make this one of the better half-day hikes near Oakhurst. It's a point-to-point trail, about two miles one-way, with roughly 830 feet of elevation gain along the way — enough climbing to earn an intermediate-to-difficult rating, but well within reach for a fit family with a morning to spare.

Devils Slide and Angel Falls

The payoff is a pair of waterfalls carved into smooth granite. Devils Slide is the more dramatic of the two — a long, gently sloped rock face where the creek runs down for roughly 600 feet in a natural water slide, pooling in aqua-green basins below. Angel Falls sits nearby along the same stretch of creek. Both are popular swimming spots in warm weather, but the granite gets slick fast when wet, so test your footing near the edges rather than trusting the rock.

Before You Go

• Distance: About 2 miles one-way to the falls, with roughly 830 feet of elevation gain.
• Best season: Spring, when snowmelt keeps the creek and falls running full; flow drops off noticeably by late summer.
• Trail surface: Starts on an old fire road grade, then narrows to singletrack, following the creek with some rocky, exposed stretches.
• Watch for: Poison oak along parts of the trail and mosquitoes in the creek corridor — bug spray earns its keep here.