This mountain is a minor peak within the park and is located just west of Lassen Peak on the west ridge. It sits between Lassen Peak and Ski Heil Peak along the same ridge that connects the other prominent mountains within Lassen National Volcanic Park including Mt. Diller and Broke Off Mountain. It is most easily reached from the trail head at the summit right where the Lassen Peak trail starts but instead of following the well worn path to the right, one follows the use trail that splits just left and turns due west (left) into a small drainage.

Immediately after heading west one can see the peak sitting at the end of the cirque. It is a minor peak and is easy to summit from the west and east sides. The north side is steeper class 4+ terrain and gaining the south flank will require overcoming the prominent cliff band which is also 4+ or 5th class climbing. This peak is typical of California peaks as it is a pile of rubble subject to the usual weaknesses and challenges. In other words, lots of tallus, scree and scrambling with few worthy, real 5th class routes. This is a classic short scramble with about 600 feet of elevation gain total.

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.

Red Tape

Lassen Volcanic National Park is part of the US National Parks Service and a park entrance fee is charged. As of June 2008, a 7-Day vehicle entry pass is $10 and an annual pass to just this park is $25. You also have the option of purchasing an American the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for $80.

• Lassen Volcanic National Park Fees
• America the Beautiful Pass Info

Camping

If all you're interested in doing is climbing up the trail to the summit, then camping probably isn't required. If you plan on exploring the other great sites within Lassen Volcanic National Park, then opportunities abound! For campsite reservations, please visit the Lassen NPS page or call them at 1-877-444-6777.

Campgrounds

Butte Lake (Individual & Group) - backcountry

Juniper Lake (Group) - backcountry

Lost Creek (Group)

Manzanita Lake - awesome area with fantastic views of the mountain

Summit Lake, North

Summit Lake, South - closest to Lassen Peak Trail

For more information about the campground specifics, please visit the appropriate NPS website.

External Links

Lassen National Volcanic Park home page.

Skiing in the area is described in detail at the Skiing the Cascades Volcanoes site.

Local geology, including Eagle Peak is discussed at the USGS CVO site.

A trip report of skiing Lassen and Eagle from Matthew Reagan.