• Lassen Peak from Hat Creek

    Lassen Volcanic

    National Park California

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  • Park highway under construction near Sulphur Works

    Road crews are working to repair the road near Sulphur Works hydrothermal area. Road will be open, with one-way controlled traffic at Sulphur Works, during the Memorial Day weekend (5/24-5/27).

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.

View ski and snowshoe routes in the winter newspaper
Learn more about winter safety at Lassen

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 below or in the winter newspaper.

 

Ski and Snowshoe Routes
A variety of routes are available from both the north and south park entrances. View more information about winter routes in the park newspaper. 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?

reddish color microscopic snow alage

The reddish color sometimes observed on top of snow at Lassen Volcanic NP snow is a living organism called snow algae.  When snow begins to thaw, these microscopic organisms spring to life.  They function as a primary food source and are being studied for their cancer-fighting properties.