huskertriguy - Jun 28, 2020 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2020
You should do this hike.
This was part of a trip pursuing county high points for an itinerary that ended up (adaptability and all that) including Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Lake/Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Butte, Tehama, Humboldt, & Trinity counties. (As it happens, Siskiyou -- Mt. Shasta -- was the primary objective on this tour, and it was the only unsuccessful summit attempt.)
I really only came to this corner of the Park to see the Painted Dunes. It was well worth the walk. I walked around the back side of the cinder cone to get some ground-level views of the Dunes and then took the trail up the side facing the dunes. I think this trail may be a bit easier to the summit as some gravel tempers the sand in spots.
Beautiful views. And because it was early enough in the morning on a weekday I saw very few people.
SuperChthonic - May 4, 2018 7:10 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2013
A nice side trip when hiking up Prospect
The view of the lava field with the painted dunes is mind blowing. If you can get out here in winter it’s a fun and easy snowshoe summit.
mountaingazelle - Nov 14, 2017 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2017
Cinder Cone
The main road in Lassen was still closed so I decided to come to this area of the park. Did the loop around to see the painted dunes too.
96avs01 - Aug 26, 2017 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2017
Dayhike with Propect Peak
Plenty hazy, but view of Fantastic Lava Beds lived up to their name.
Jesus Malverde - Jul 18, 2017 4:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2017
Will Newcomb - Aug 22, 2016 1:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2016
Northern Trail (Standard)
Day 3 of our troop's Lassen Backpacking trip took us from Swan Lake to Butte Lake with the iconic Cinder Cone as a pit stop. Once we reached the Northern junction, we stripped our packs and eagerly raced up the steep slope. It only took 12 minutes for me to get to the summit, and the we also spent time exploring the inner crater. It's such a surreal experience and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime hike.
Larry Laverty - Sep 4, 2013 1:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2013
Standard Route
Made the trip early enough to have the top to meself for a long while. Then one by one, two by two, others came,and I realized what a popular destination this place is. Glorious views of Mother Nature's handy work.
labgloves - May 21, 2012 11:06 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2012
To view Solar Eclipse
Summited at the end of a short backpack through the area (Rainbow, Twin, Swan, Horseshoe, and Snag Lakes). We stayed for ~ 3 hours on this interesting summit to view the solar eclipse (Peak 6:30 PM)
smurfer - Jan 4, 2012 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
10/10
My "Moon" guidebook (which I think is usually pretty accurate on the scenery rating) has this down as an 8/10, but its better than that.
cdog - Jul 19, 2011 12:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1991
fun slog
Hiked up Cinder Cone with my Scout Troop (232) back when I was in my early teens. Fun hike; I remember two steps forward, one step back.
Well, almost... It was too hot. My father had to carry me for two short stretches. Amazingly, my new freind Heidi, who is only two and a half, did walk the whole way to the top!
Walking down into the crater was fun. I liked playing with big rocks, which seemed heavy but were not heavy at all.
Linda Breton - Jun 7, 2011 4:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2010
Unique hike
Fantastic views and powerful winds. The cinder material of the trail makes for a quick descent.
Hiied up after an overnight backpacking with 5 y/o and 13 y/o sons. The younger one made it to the top in his own. Strange and beautiful place. Running down on the cinder path is funny.
jclasell - Feb 23, 2009 5:00 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2007
Learning curve
This mountain was great for teaching me about the effects of elevation and the result of climbing in the afternoon. The deep gravely substance that makes up Cinder Cone made it very hard to climb. This combined with hot afternoon temps made my ascent less than enjoyable; however, when I reached the top the feeling of success far outweighed any hardship. This is a beautiful day hike that is a must do for anyone visiting Lassen. Might I suggest a 2-3 day backback trip in from Summit Lake ranger station.
selinunte01 - Jan 29, 2009 11:46 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2000
Wonderful Loop
We summited Cinder Cone during a wonderful hike around Snag Lake and Butte Lake. Traversed the Painted Dunes as well. Strange, impressive landscape.
wannabepeakbagger - Jun 20, 2022 7:26 am Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2022
NiceNice walk and views. Leave your dogs in the car
huskertriguy - Jun 28, 2020 1:01 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2020
You should do this hike.This was part of a trip pursuing county high points for an itinerary that ended up (adaptability and all that) including Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Lake/Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Butte, Tehama, Humboldt, & Trinity counties. (As it happens, Siskiyou -- Mt. Shasta -- was the primary objective on this tour, and it was the only unsuccessful summit attempt.)
I really only came to this corner of the Park to see the Painted Dunes. It was well worth the walk. I walked around the back side of the cinder cone to get some ground-level views of the Dunes and then took the trail up the side facing the dunes. I think this trail may be a bit easier to the summit as some gravel tempers the sand in spots.
Beautiful views. And because it was early enough in the morning on a weekday I saw very few people.
SuperChthonic - May 4, 2018 7:10 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2013
A nice side trip when hiking up ProspectThe view of the lava field with the painted dunes is mind blowing. If you can get out here in winter it’s a fun and easy snowshoe summit.
mountaingazelle - Nov 14, 2017 1:58 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2017
Cinder ConeThe main road in Lassen was still closed so I decided to come to this area of the park. Did the loop around to see the painted dunes too.
96avs01 - Aug 26, 2017 2:35 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2017
Dayhike with Propect PeakPlenty hazy, but view of Fantastic Lava Beds lived up to their name.
Jesus Malverde - Jul 18, 2017 4:53 pm Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2017
via Dog RouteOver the years I picked off the various peaks from Chaos Crags down to Brokeoff, but I'd never felt much inclined to hit Cinder Cone. My mistake. This little peak is very cool and I should have done it years ago. The summit crater reminded me in an odd sort of way of the crater rims of Popocatépetl and Cotopaxi. If you haven't yet hiked it, get out there and get some; a very interesting view in California.
Will Newcomb - Aug 22, 2016 1:49 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2016
Northern Trail (Standard)Day 3 of our troop's Lassen Backpacking trip took us from Swan Lake to Butte Lake with the iconic Cinder Cone as a pit stop. Once we reached the Northern junction, we stripped our packs and eagerly raced up the steep slope. It only took 12 minutes for me to get to the summit, and the we also spent time exploring the inner crater. It's such a surreal experience and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime hike.
Larry Laverty - Sep 4, 2013 1:16 pm Date Climbed: Sep 3, 2013
Standard RouteMade the trip early enough to have the top to meself for a long while. Then one by one, two by two, others came,and I realized what a popular destination this place is. Glorious views of Mother Nature's handy work.
labgloves - May 21, 2012 11:06 am Date Climbed: May 20, 2012
To view Solar EclipseSummited at the end of a short backpack through the area (Rainbow, Twin, Swan, Horseshoe, and Snag Lakes). We stayed for ~ 3 hours on this interesting summit to view the solar eclipse (Peak 6:30 PM)
smurfer - Jan 4, 2012 7:55 pm Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
10/10My "Moon" guidebook (which I think is usually pretty accurate on the scenery rating) has this down as an 8/10, but its better than that.
cdog - Jul 19, 2011 12:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 14, 1991
fun slogHiked up Cinder Cone with my Scout Troop (232) back when I was in my early teens. Fun hike; I remember two steps forward, one step back.
Miroslava - Jul 5, 2011 1:03 pm Date Climbed: Jul 3, 2011
I did it myself!Well, almost... It was too hot. My father had to carry me for two short stretches. Amazingly, my new freind Heidi, who is only two and a half, did walk the whole way to the top!
Walking down into the crater was fun. I liked playing with big rocks, which seemed heavy but were not heavy at all.
Linda Breton - Jun 7, 2011 4:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 25, 2010
Unique hikeFantastic views and powerful winds. The cinder material of the trail makes for a quick descent.
OOG - Jan 27, 2011 11:53 pm
surreal landscapeThe painted dunes were most impressive
mengbo - Aug 10, 2010 8:48 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2009
Climbedlength 5.3 mi, elapsed time 2h 48m
David Naylor - Jul 27, 2010 2:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2008
Incredible location.Slow going up the trail due to cinder rocks....incredible views of this volcanic wonderland! Photos: http://www.meetup.com/SuperFab/photos/400946/
mrchad9 - May 9, 2010 3:07 am Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2002
Great geologyDrove around to the cinder cone the day after Lassen Peak. Great views of Lassen, Painted Dunes, Lava Beds... makes me wish I was a geologist...
Rinat Shagisultanov - Dec 15, 2009 10:53 pm
Hiked with sonsHiied up after an overnight backpacking with 5 y/o and 13 y/o sons. The younger one made it to the top in his own. Strange and beautiful place. Running down on the cinder path is funny.
jclasell - Feb 23, 2009 5:00 pm Date Climbed: Jun 5, 2007
Learning curveThis mountain was great for teaching me about the effects of elevation and the result of climbing in the afternoon. The deep gravely substance that makes up Cinder Cone made it very hard to climb. This combined with hot afternoon temps made my ascent less than enjoyable; however, when I reached the top the feeling of success far outweighed any hardship. This is a beautiful day hike that is a must do for anyone visiting Lassen. Might I suggest a 2-3 day backback trip in from Summit Lake ranger station.
selinunte01 - Jan 29, 2009 11:46 am Date Climbed: Sep 12, 2000
Wonderful LoopWe summited Cinder Cone during a wonderful hike around Snag Lake and Butte Lake. Traversed the Painted Dunes as well. Strange, impressive landscape.