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Lassen National Forest
With its varied terrain, dozens of lakes, scenic vistas and over 460 miles of trails to explore, the Lassen National Forest is a hiker's, backpacker's and equestrian's paradise. The trails range from wide, with easy grades suitable for sneaker travel, to rough rocky steep grades demanding sturdy footwear and endurance.
Some of the best hiking trails are in the wilderness areas. The Ishi is in the foothills canyon country. Trails generally follow the streams, which cut east-west. The Ishi is a low-elevation, meaning it gets mighty hot in the summer—up to more than 100° F. So the best time to go is late fall and spring. Once the summer oven gets turned on, head for the higher elevation Caribou Wilderness and Thousand Lakes Wilderness. Caribou is a high forested plateau nestled against Lassen Volcanic National Park, and some of its trails provide access to the park. Thousand Islands includes 8,677-foot Crater Peak, and as the name suggests, has seven major lakes and many, many smaller ones.
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail extends 2,600 miles from Mexico to Canada, and roughly 120 miles of it passes through the Lassen National Forest on a roughly north-south axis. Another 17 miles of the PCT pass through the Lassen Volcanic National Park. The PCT has become the main south-to-north route between Mexico and Canada for hikers and equestrians.
Beginning at the Lassen National Forest's southern end, the trail moves from the granite and high mountain lakes of the northern Sierra Nevada to the lava and broken landscape of the southern-most Cascade mountains. Elevations along the Lassen portion of the trail range from 5,500 feet in the south to 3,200 feet to the north. Portions of the trail are under snow until late spring. A new section of the PCT was established in the spring of 1992. This 13-mile section offers hikers an alternative that enables easier access to the town of Old Station. In Old Station, food, overnight accommodations and a U.S. Post Office are available. A reminder: Drinking water is not available on the 26-mile section of the trail that traverses Hat Creek Rim. It is a good idea, when planning a trip, to call a forest office and inquire about conditions.
Bizz Johnson Trail
Following just under 26 miles of old railroad logging grade, this trail offers beautiful views of the rugged Susan River canyon and surrounding mountains. A wide path and easy grade makes this trail ideal for horseback riders, joggers, hikers, and mountain bikers.
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail
A 9.5-mile multi-use trail that tracks the west side of beautiful Lake Almanor.
Spencer Meadows National Recreation Trail
Six miles in length, this trail leads hikers through aspen groves, meadow areas, towering incense cedar, and by bubbling springs. The trail runs from Highway 36/89 to Lassen Volcanic National Park, where it connects with the Park's trail system.
Heart Lake National Recreation Trail
Stands of aspen and dogwood lend beautiful contrast to a pine and fir forest. The trail, which follows Martin Creek, also offers picturesque views of Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain. The trail runs 3.5 miles from the Martin Creek trailhead to Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Hole-in-the-Ground to Black Rock
Starting from Hole-in-the-Ground Campground, the trail is an easy 18, mostly downhill miles, following Mill Creek. Fall is a pretty time, and you might even find a few blackberries along the way.
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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