Notice the rotten egg smell as you perch over the dome at the end of a trail that loops around the Cascade Range’s southernmost active volcano.
Lassen Peak Trail is a 5-mile (8-kilometer) round-trip circuit that winds up to its eponymous summit in Lassen Volcanic National Park. The path is fairly steep, gaining an elevation of about 2,000 feet (600 meters), as it veers toward the peak. Enjoy the wonderful views of the park, as you twist and turn heading up the trail.
Reach the summit for the best vista of Devastated Area, which gives you an idea of the impact of the 1914 to 1917 volcanic eruptions in the park. Flying boulders ripped the forests apart, carving out an open area comprised of different shades of volcanic rock. See how Lassen Mountain appears smooth, with relatively few trees adorning it. Notice the eggy odor of hydrogen sulfide that indicates that the volcano is active.
Appreciate the utter tranquility amid the wilderness on the trail. Bring food and drink to stop at a viewpoint for a picnic. Catch your breath before taking on the steep final stretch to the peak, which rises to 10,457 feet (3,187 meters). As you near the summit, the panoramas on all sides are breathtaking, featuring forested valleys, distant mountains and lakes.
At the base of the trail, head to Lake Helen for some of the best views of Lassen Peak against blue skies. Gaze up at the summit in winter, when it is covered in thick layers of snow.
The trail is easiest to navigate from June to September, when it is less likely to be covered in snow. Plan to spend 3 to 5 hours on the hike.
The Lassen Peak Trail begins a little south of its namesake mountain and northeast of Lake Helen and Emerald Lake. Leave your car in the trailhead’s parking lot. Explore the surrounding area for other geologic gems including Mt. Helen, the Bumpass Trail and Eagle Peak. Note that the highway passing the trailhead closes for the winter, so seasonal access to this area is by snowshoeing or skiing from the visitor center.
