Lassen Peak

Craters on Lassen Peak

Length: 2.5 miles one-way

Minimum Elevation: 8500 feet

Maximum Elevation: 10457 feet

Total Elevation Gain: 2000 feet

Directions: From the southwest entrance station of Lassen Volcanic National Park, head north on Highway 89 about 7 miles. The trailhead will be on the left. 

The trailhead

One of the easiest mountains to hike standing over 10000 feet tall, Lassen offers great views of much of Northern California. With a wide, gentle (in terms of climbing route standards) trail dotted with interpretive signs and resting spots, it makes for a great family hike or midmorning stroll.

Lassen’s history, however, is far from gentle.

The trail has only been fully re-opened since this year. Before that, it had been shut down for some time for park staff to make improvements, prompted by a rockslide that killed a young boy. 

Further into its past, the mountain had a notable series of eruptions in the early 1900s. It’s eastern side blew out highly destructive pyroclastic flows – superheated avalanches of volcanic gas, ash, and rock that can travel at speeds in the hundreds range mph – annihilating forest on Lassen’s northeast side up to 4.5 miles from the volcano. Towns and farmlands further downhill from the mountain were devastated by lahars – mudflows created by Lassen’s snow rapidly melting and mixing with landslide and other debris. The largest eruption sent a cloud of ash seven miles into the sky.

Vulcan's Eye

The mountain is currently sleeping, however, and the hike hazard-free. From the trailhead, just follow the switchbacks up the mountain. Timberline comes pretty quickly along the trail, yielding scattered lupine amid volcanic talus. Take a look at the large crags above you – one on the left has a natural oval-shaped engraving on it known as Vulcan’s Eye. 

At the end of the 2.5 miles, the trail tops out on a large, rolling nob. Craters cut into mountain to the left. Directly ahead is a large rocky point – the true summit. Head straight to it for a scramble to the top, or veer to the left for a slightly milder grade.

The summit

Burney Falls

Distance: .6 mile out-and-back

Directions: From McCloud, CA, follow Highway 89 South for about 40 miles. Turn right at the sign for McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.

A short, paved path takes you out of the hot, dry summer heat of California’s northeastern Cascades and brings you to an icy blue pool at the base of a 129-foot waterfall. 

Burney falls is much more interesting than just a relief from the California summer, however. All but two of its streams (coming from the creek above) pour directly out of basalt cliffs in a massive series of springs.

The water originates as precipitation on Burney Mountain, where it filters through porous volcanic rock to provide a consistent year-round flow for the falls. The water then flows down the remainder of Burney Creek to Lake Britton, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and camping.

The path to the fall’s base is just the beginning of this short roadside adventure. Hiking down Burney Creek, hiking up the opposite side of the falls, and accessing the Pacific Crest Trail are all further hiking prospects within the park.