Hiking Safety

Hikers enjoy lunch on top of Cinder Cone

NPS Photo

 

Explore Safely
Hiking in Lassen Volcanic National Park involves risk. Lassen's continually changing landscape, high elevation, and dramatic seasons present numerous considerations for hikers. From climbing rocky slopes, crossing swift streams, and traversing spring snow patches, the best way to ensure your safety is to be prepared.

To improve your safety when hiking at Lassen consider the following:

• Print or download an Explore Safely trail guide
  
• View or print the list of popular day hikes including level of difficulty, elevation, distances, and approximate time
• Read about selected hikes in the park newspaper, Peak Experiences
  
• Learn more about trails and current trail conditions, especially May through July
  
• Review the hiking preparedness list

Congratulations 2012 Explore Safely Trail Challengers!
View a list of trail challengers and safety notes from the 2012 Trail Challenge here.

 

Explore Safely Trail Guides
The following guides provide information for day hikers including trail descriptions, special considerations, and preparedness information. Check back soon for new guides for Kings Creek, Brokeoff Mountain, Bumpass Hell, and Twin Lakes Loop trails.

We recommend that you read or print the trail guide before you begin your hike.

• Lassen Peak Print version | Viewing version
  
• Devils Kitchen Print version | Viewing version
  
• Mill Creek Falls Print version | Viewing version

 

 

Lightning position: put your feet together, crouch, and don't touch long conductors

Rob MacLean

Lightning Safety
Summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena - lightning. In the United States, an average of 54 people are reported killed each year by lightning. To date, there have been five deaths in 2012. Lightning is a serious danger that is best mitigated by one key action: When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! Unfortunately for day hikers and backpackers, seeking shelter is not always possible. Here are a few tips to increase your safety while outdoors:

• Time visits to avoid severe weather - know the forecast.
• Immediately seek a safer area if you hear thunder.
• If caught in the open, avoid trees, bushes, or other tall objects.
• Spread a hiking group out at least 50 feet between people.
• Look for ravines or depressions and assume the lightning position in one of the depressions.
• Do NOT lay on the ground, rather crouch on your feet.

Learn more about lightning safety at http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/ or download a lightning risk management publication.