Anyone been up there lately? I'm thinking about trying the Northwest Ridge in a couple weeks but I don't exactly want to book it across the country if there isn't any snow up there.

Haven't been up there this season yet, but the NPS posts snow conditions on their site -

http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/c ... UMP_218949

They are pretty good about answering the phone, too

I did a quick trip up Brokeoff in early Feb. Even before the last few storms there was good snow cover.

Thanks for all the info. I didn't realize that there are NPS websites that are actually useful!

I won't be going for a couple weeks, so I'll watch the avy reports and change my plans accordingly.

The NPS website was reporting 10 feet of snow at the SW entrance on Friday (6-March), so I decided to go up and see for myself -

Saturday morning


Nice new visitor center ! Got my wilderness permit and set out for Forest Lake, up into the woods -



Spent a chilly night at 8100', temps got down to around 17F. In the morning I headed up to Brokeoff Mountain. Brought an ice axe, but didn't need anything but my snowshoes & trekking pole .. though the last couple hundred feet were wind-blasted, with rime ice showing through. I saw ski tracks coming up, but only bootprints near the summit.

Lassen Peak from the top of Brokeoff at around 9am this morning -


The wind wasn't bad, just chilly. My thermometer said 15F when I got to the top. I ate half my chocolate bar and headed back down -


Felt positively balmy back below treeline.

Nice photos, Rob! I spent many years living near Lassen, but have only visited during summer and have never hiked Brokeoff. My desire to visit the area in the colder, less crowded seasons is renewed.

Thanks for the pictures! Makes me wish I could go now.

I'll be flying into Sacramento, but I won't be getting in until late. Are there any places that are open 24/7 around there where I can get some fuel canisters?

My first thought would be the Wal-mart in Willows or Red Bluff, which would be close to I-5, though they don't open until 9am and usually they only have the coleman brand stuff. I'd call ahead and check ..

Probably the Sacramento locals have a better idea -- all I can think of are Sports Authority, Big 5, or REI (which usually isn't open until 10).

On the way to Lassen, you'd be driving through Woodland within about 15 min of leaving Sac. Int'l. Woodland has your usual assortment of strip mall stores, so should be able to find something along there if you don't get in too late. I did Lassen two years ago when the main park road was still closed. Snowshoed in from the southwest gate on Saturday afternoon, bivied under a full moon on the big flat area at 8,800 feet elevation near the Lassen Peak tourist trail, climbed the peak the next morning (April Fool's Day!) and was back at the southwest gate by 4:00 pm Sunday. Total of about 18 miles and 3,800 feet vertical. Great weekend. Here's a photo:

http://www.summitpost.org/image/282792/Lake-Almanor.html

Nothing around here that is open 24/7 (That I know of). If you are driving up hwy 99 in the morning you can go to Chico Mountain Sports in Chico, CA. It's about an hour and 45 min north of Sac and on the way to the park via 99 to 36 to the South entrance. Good luck...!

The general store next to the motel/cafe in Mineral, not far from the south gate, has basic camping/picnic supplies, but I'd guess their open hours are pretty limited in the winter. But it's definitely worth stopping there for a hearty breakfast or burger if it fits into your schedule.

J, when will you be up at Lassen? Maybe I can hook you up with a fuel cell.

brianhughes wrote:On the way to Lassen, you'd be driving through Woodland within about 15 min of leaving Sac. Int'l. Woodland has your usual assortment of strip mall stores, so should be able to find something along there if you don't get in too late.

There is a Walmart in Woodland, use the Rd 102 exit, go North to first light, take a left and you'll see the sign in less than a 1/2 mile. Believe they are open until 10 PM.

There is also a Target, open til 10 pm just south of the Rd. 102 overpass (next to Costco) They have a "camping" section in the store as does the Wal mart. Go to Target and you can swing into Costco and get some food, booze, and toilet paper. Okay, you probably don't need 60 rolls of t.p. but a case of beer won't last long

jcsesica wrote:Nothing around here that is open 24/7 (That I know of). If you are driving up hwy 99 in the morning you can go to Chico Mountain Sports in Chico, CA. It's about an hour and 45 min north of Sac and on the way to the park via 99 to 36 to the South entrance. Good luck...!

I would also stop off in Chico. Both Walmart and Target here in Woodland doant have jack, unless your looking for colemen products. Chico also has a Sports LTD (pretty much like an REI) If you do decide to go to Chico, take HWY 32. MUCH more scenic drive then 99. Pretty curvey but BEAUTIFUL.

When are you planning on going up there? Need a partner?