Overview
Lassen Peak, located east of Redding and Red Bluff on I-5, is the largest plug-domed volcano in the world. It is also the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade range and until Mount St. Helens in 1980, held the most recent erruptions in the continental US from May 1914 to 1921. Lassen National Volcanic Park was created in 1916 and includes the peak and surrounding area. Geothermal activity is still very present in the area and can be viewed at Bumpass Hell and Sulfur Works in the park. During the winter and spring Lassen is popular ski mountaineering and snowboard destination. Summer to autumn hiking on this peak is straight-forward following the 2.5 mile (class 1) Lassen Peak Trail which asends the Southeast Ridge to the summit from the 8,500' Lassen Peak trailhead. Just below the summit, you can opt for a short class 3 variation. Hiking off trail is discouraged due to the loose ash. This trail, however, does not give justice to the mountain which offers a wide variety of winter and early spring activities. Due to its location, Lassen Peak may receive more snow than any other part of California, often with 30+ foot snow drifts above 8,000 feet, making it an ideal mountain summit for ski mountaineering, backcountry snowboarding, and general mountaineering. After the road is plowed in late spring it is even possible to hike up the south side in sandals to ski / snowboard down. The Northeast (4,000' descent), Southeast, South, Southwest, and West Faces offer good ski runs while snow also offers the opportunity to reach the summit by the North Ridge route.
Routes Overview
Going counter clockwise from the south: During the summer, the only route to the summit that is permitted is the Lassen Peak Trail, however, during the winter and spring many other routes are open for climbing and skiing / boarding.
Getting There
Year round trailheads to this peak are on the Lassen Loop Road whether you are driving to the Lassen Peak trailhead on the South Side or cross-country skiing from the Manzanita Lake or Mineral entrances to Lassen Volcanic National Park.- LASSEN PEAK TRAILHEAD FROM NORTH: To reach this summer trailhead, leave I-5 at Redding heading East on California SR-44. Continue South on to California SR-89 at the junction and drive another 22 miles past the Manzanita Lake park entrance to the trailhead.
- LASSEN PEAK TRAILHEAD FROM SOUTH: Leave I-5 at Red Bluff heading East on California SR-36 towards Mineral. Turn north at the SR-89 junction and continue 12 miles into the park to reach the trailhead.
- EMIGRANT PASS / DEVASTATED AREA (6,446'): There is a gate on CA SR-89 at Emigrant Pass that is just south of the Devastated Area parking lot. This is about 10 miles from the northern entrance of the park. When the road is plowed this is a popular trailhead for the North Ridge, Northeast Face, and Southeast Face routes.
- WINTER VISITS: Most of the Lassen Loop Road is not plowed during the winter, however, the south Mineral entrance is plowed to the Lassen Chalet and visitor center including the relatively large parking lot from where you can ski into the park. To the North, SR-89 is plowed until the Manzanita Lake trailhead from where you can ski in.
ROAD MAPS:
Red Tape
Lassen Volcanic National Park is part of the US NPS and a park entrance fee is charged. Check the NPS web site for the latest fees. As with all US National Parks, you also have the option of purchasing an annual National Parks Pass or, if you're on a tight budget, just sneaking in and out after hours ;-)
When To Climb and Ski
Generally, people climb June to October, but ascents are possible year round. The ski season is typically from February to early June. During the winter the most of the Lassen Loop Road isn't plowed which means you'll have a much longer approach. See the Getting There Section above for more information. This often means that people will opt to ski Brokeoff Mountain and other peaks closer to the south Mineral entrance station.
Camping
The hike is so short that generally no camping is necessary on this peak. If you come during the winter, there appears to be a couple decent spots on the normal SE Ridge (Lassen Peak Trail) route when it enters some rocks that may be worth exploring.
Mountain Conditions
Although summer conditions are often excellent, winter can bring strorms and a lot of snow. Check the following resources for climbing conditions. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Phone: (530) 595-4444
URL: http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
Miscellaneous Info
SKI MOUNTAINEERING INFORMATION Amar Andalkar's Ski Mountaineering and Climbing Site : Lassen Peak
External LinksImages
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California Cascades
