Lassen Volcanic National Park by Ski or Snowshoe

Catching Pow at Utah's Ski Resorts

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It is strongly recommended that those exploring Lassen's backcountry carry a topographical map and compass. Consult pages two and three for regulations, registration, and safety information.

POPULAR ROUTES
Virtually, the entire park is open to the ski tourer or snowshoer. These routes provide a variety of terrain and scenery. There is no guarantee that sudden storms or possible avalanche conditions will not be encountered. These routes have been selected to help avoid the most hazardous areas.

SOUTHWEST CHALET AREA - LASSEN PARK ROAD (Unplowed)
Classification - Beginner to Advanced.
Distance - Lassen Chalet to Lake Helen 6.2 mi., to road summit at base of Lassen Peak 7 mi., to Kings Creek Meadows 11.6 mi., to Summit Lake 16.5 mi., to Hat Lake 19 mi., to Manzanita Lake 30 mi.
Elevation - Start (Lassen Chalet) 6,700 ft., high point 8,500 ft., Manzanita Lake 5,850 ft.
Average Skiing Time - Lake Helen 3 hr., Kings Creek 5 hr., Summit Lake 8 hr., Manzanita Lake 2 days one-way.

The trail starts at the Lassen Chalet and follows the unplowed Lassen Park Road through the park to Manzanita Lake. Hazardous, steep side hills with icy conditions may be encountered. By midwinter in the high, open country between the head of Little Hot Springs Valley and Reading Peak, it is difficult to find any trace of the road. High winds and whiteout conditions are common in this same area during winter storms. The road crosses several avalanche paths. Terrain off the roadway is generally steep south of Kings Creek and gentle north of Kings Creek. Good overnight snow camping areas can be found a short distance from the road north of Diamond Peak, near Emerald and Helen Lakes, Kings Creek Meadow (Flats), Summit Lake, and Hat Lake. This route offers the best access to the heart of Lassen's backcountry.

SULPHUR WORKS CUTOFF
Classification - Advanced Intermediate.
Distance - 0.8 mile from Sulphur Works to Diamond Peak Saddle.
Elevation - Start 7,000 ft., end 7,650 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 40 minutes one-way.

To reach: This trail requires following the Lassen Park Road (unplowed) about 0.8 mile from the Lassen Chalet to Sulphur Works. Trail starts north just past the large steam vent on the south side of the road. It is moderately steep and stays above and east of the north fork of West Sulphur Creek. This route's popularity arises from its short, direct access into the Lake Helen-Lassen Peak area and its bypass of a portion of avalanche-prone Lassen Park Road east of Diamond Peak.

RIDGE LAKES
Classification - Advanced Intermediate.
Distance - 2.5 miles round-trip.
Elevation - Start (Sulphur Works) 7,000 ft., high point 8,000 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 2 hours round-trip

To reach this trail, follow the unplowed Lassen Park Road from Lassen Chalet about 3/4 mile, cross the bridge just before reaching Sulphur Works, then turn left (northwest) away from the road and follow the drainage just west of the Sulphur Works thermal basin. The trail climbs rapidly to the Ridge Lakes basin.

Several good camping spots can be found on the north shore of Ridge Lakes. If weather is severe, more protected camping can be found about 3/4 mile below Ridge Lakes along its outlet creek. Avoid the area just south of Ridge Lakes during periods of avalanche danger. The trail loops north from Ridge Lakes to rejoin itself about 3/4 mile below the basin.

FOREST LAKE
Classification - Intermediate.
Distance - 2.5-mile loop.
Elevation - Start 6,650 ft., high point 7,500 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 2 hours round-trip.

The trail starts south of the Lassen Chalet beside the parking lot. After the first 100 yards, the trail forks into a loop. The right fork climbs rapidly to Forest Lake basin at the base of Brokeoff Mountain. The left fork drops to a stream crossing, then climbs to and up the small stream bed draining Forest Lake. Avoid the steep slopes west of Forest Lake during avalanche conditions.

MANZANITA LAKE AREA
Classification - Beginner.
Distance - 1.6 miles around lake.
Elevation - Start 5,800 ft., high point 5,850 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 1.5 hours round-trip.

The trail starts near Manzanita Lake Entrance Station on park road and circles lake.

MANZANITA CREEK
Classification - Intermediate.
Distance - 10 miles round-trip.
Elevation - Start 5,850 ft., high point 7,400 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 6 hours round-trip.

The trail leaves the Lassen Park Road with a right turn at the Manzanita Lake Campground Road and follows through the campground where the Manzanita Lake Fire Road begins, ending near the base of Crescent Cliffs. For the most part, the route is a gradual climb. Suitable snow camping sites are found along the upper portion of this trail where open water is available. Loomis Peak has several avalanche chutes which have, in the past, reached the trail toward the upper end. The return leg is by the same route.

EMIGRANT TRAIL
Classification - Beginner to Intermediate.
Distance - 6 miles round-trip.
Elevation - Start 5,850 ft., high point 6,350 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 4 hours round-trip.

This route leaves the park road just past the stone entrance station, following a service road to the left, and joins the historic Nobles Emigrant Trail at the base of Table Mountain. The trail climbs a portion of the southeast flank of Table Mountain, continues through some heavy timber at a gradual down slope, then rejoins the park road at Sunflower Flat, turning right and following the highway back to Manzanita Lake.

OTHER ROUTES
The park road from Manzanita Lake to the Devastated Area may be plowed out by Easter; excellent skiing may be enjoyed in the Devastated Area and along the Lassen Park Road to Summit Lake or Kings Creek. It is three miles to Summit Lake and six miles to Kings Creek.

Butte Lake Road offers beginner skiing. The lake is six miles one-way from Highway 44, depending on snow conditions. There is also beginner to intermediate skiing in the surrounding area. Check with the Loomis Ranger Station for conditions.

The following routes are generally in high, open country and suggest the easiest and/or safest access to mountain peaks or other points of interest. Terrain and snow character usually require winter mountaineering experience and equipment. Ice axe, crampons, and climbing rope may be needed. Weather frequently prevents any travel at all.

LASSEN PEAK
Classification - Advanced.
Distance - 2.5 miles to summit from highest point on Lassen Park Road.
Elevation - Start 8,500 ft., peak summit 10,500 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 3 hours to peak summit from base of peak (time varies with conditions) one-way.

Follow the unplowed Lassen Park Road from Lassen Chalet to Sulphur Works. Take the Sulphur Works Cutoff Trail to Diamond Ridge saddle, then continue on Lassen Park Road past Lake Helen to the road summit at the south base of Lassen Peak. From here, angle left (north), working your way up a moderately steep south-facing slope to a shelf about 1/4 mile north of the road. At this point you should see a well-defined ridge running northwest to the peak summit from the flat you are on. Follow this ridge (summer trail route) up to the summit.

Since Lassen Peak is the highest in the park, high winds and whiteout conditions can develop rapidly, sometimes without warning. The wise winter traveler will turn back at any sign of inclement weather.

BROKEOFF MOUNTAIN
Classification - Advanced.
Distance - 4 miles to summit from trailhead parking.
Elevation - Start 6,650 ft., summit 9,250 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 4 hours to summit (time varies with conditions) one-way.

Park at the Lassen Chalet and walk back about 1/4 mile to the trailhead. Following the summer trail route (no visible markers), cross the road and travel southwest about 1/4 mile up to the base of Brokeoff Mountain's southeast ridge. Angle right (northwest), following the base of the ridge and Forest Lake drainage toward Forest Lake. After about one mile (before reaching Forest Lake) look for a small side canyon that forks to the left and up toward Brokeoff Mountain summit. Once at the head of this small side canyon (another 1/2 mile), angle left (southwest) toward the southeast ridge of Brokeoff Mountain. Once on top of this ridge, travel toward the summit, staying on the moderately steep southwest-facing slope to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain. This very exposed mountain is characterized by high winds and whiteout conditions during inclement weather. Large, overhanging snow cornices at the summit make any approach to the edge extremely dangerous. Therefore, any approach within 30 feet of the edge is unsafe.

McGowan Lake & Nanny Creek
Classification - Beginner.
Distance - 5 miles to Nanny Creek.
Elevation - Start Highway 89 6,080 ft., end Highway 36 5,110 ft.
Average Skiing Time - 2 hours one-way.

This trail is groomed when conditions permit by the Forest Service. It leaves Highway 89 on the unplowed McGowan Lake Road 3.5 miles south of the Lassen Chalet. The route is marked by blue and white ski touring signs and proceeds across a flat and slightly descending landscape. Skiers will pass through largely forested areas with some meadow clearings, finishing on Highway 36 at Nanny Creek. The trail does not go to McGowan Lake which is on private property. This trail makes for a good one-way ski if vehicles are available for shuttle.