Conard Meadows Shuttle Trail

Conard Meadows Shuttle Trail is an 8-mile, one-way point-to-point route from Bumpass Hell Trailhead to Southwest Campground. It links Bumpass Hell, Cold Boiling and Crumbaugh Lakes, Conard Meadows, and Mill Creek Falls. Allow about 4.5 hours on foot. The route trends downhill overall, but includes about 800 feet of climbing and a final rise after the falls. The hike map gives 8 miles; the mapped line in this record measures about 7.2, so treat the distance as approximate. Arrange a second vehicle at Southwest Campground before starting; the road shuttle between the ends is 5.8 miles on Main Park Road.

The first stretch follows the route through Bumpass Hell's hydrothermal basin. Stay on the established trail and boardwalk: thin ground crust can hide boiling, acidic water, and leaving the marked route is dangerous and unlawful. The trail through this basin is a summer-and-fall walk.

Cold Boiling Lake's name comes from gas bubbles rising near shore, but the activity is small and easy to miss. Grass and reeds edge the lake. From there the tread descends through forest and small flowered meadows to Crumbaugh Lake, then continues through more meadows below Mount Conard.

This is the open stretch to slow down for: tall grasses, wildflowers, and corn lilies spread across the meadow, with Mount Conard behind them. The park lists deer and birds among the wildlife visitors may spot along the corridor. When flowers are in bloom, frame Mount Conard across the grass for the clearest sense of the meadow's scale.

The trail drops steeply toward the falls, with dips and rises, narrow rocky sections, and creek crossings. Mill Creek Falls drops 75 feet where East Sulphur and Bumpass Creeks meet. Some viewpoints are partly screened by the surrounding slopes and trees, while the open hillside nearby looks toward Brokeoff Mountain and Mount Diller. After the falls, climb back toward the campground; the whole route isn't downhill.