• Lassen Peak from Manzanita Lake

    Lassen Volcanic

    National Park California

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Snowshoeing

The Ridge Lakes trail offers spectacular views of Mt. Diller
The Ridge Lakes route offers spectacular views of Mt. Diller
NPS Photo
 

Winter at Lassen offers the opportunity to step outside of the boundaries by trying something new or exploring new terrain. Once the roads disappear and the trails are hidden under snow, and snowshoes are a great way to explore.

Download the Ski and Snowshoe Routes (1.2 KB) section of our winter newspaper.

Explore on Your Own
If you are familiar with walking on snow, snowshoe routes begin at both the north and south entrances. Be sure to bring your own snowshoes. You may rent snowshoes before arriving at the park at sports stores in Redding and Chico.

Ranger-led Snowshoe Walks
If you are new to snowshoeing, consider joining a ranger-led snowshoe walk. Snowshoes are available for participants with a suggested $1 donation. For those more familiar with walking on snow, opportunities abound at both the north and south entrances. Be sure to bring your own snowshoes if you'd like to explore on your own! Read about suggested ski and snowshoe routes on pages 6-7.

 

 

Ski and Snowshoe Routes
A variety of routes are available from both the north and south park entrances. Download the Ski and Snowshoe Routes (1.2 KB) section of the winter newspaper for more information on the different routes. View the maps below for route locations.

Beginner Routes

Manzanita Lake Snowshoe Loop
This trail is not recommended for skiing
Distance: 1.6 mile loop
Elevation: 5800 feet to 5850 feet
Average Time: 1.5 hours

Nanny Creek via McGowan Ski Trail
Located in adjacent Lassen National Forest
Distance: 5 miles to Nanny Creek one-way
Elevation: 6080 feet to 5110 feet
Average Skiing Time: 4 hours

Main Park Road to Lake Helen
Distance: 12.4 miles round-trip
Elevation: 6700 feet to 8200 feet
Average Skiing Time: 6 hours

Intermediate Routes

Forest Lake
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Elevation: 6700 feet to 7500 feet
Average Skiing Time: 2 hours

Manzanita Creek
Distance: 7.5 miles round-trip
Elevation: 5850 feet to 7400 feet
Average Skiing Time: 6 hours

Advanced Routes

Brokeoff Mountain
Distance: 8 miles round-trip
Elevation: 6650 feet to 9250 feet
Average Skiing Time: 8 hours

Ridge Lakes
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Elevation: 7000 feet to 8000 feet
Skiing Time: 2 hours

Lassen Peak
Distance: 20 miles round-trip
Elevation: 6700 feet to 10,457 feet
Average Skiing Time: 3 days
 
Southwest winter trails
Southwest Winter Routes
 
Manzanita Lake winter trails
Manzanita Lake Winter Routes

Did You Know?

President Roosevelt riding a horse

Lassen Volcanic National Park started as two separate national monuments designated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1907: Cinder Cone National Monument and Lassen Peak National Monument.