Explore This Park

Hiking Lassen Peak Trail

Start: Lassen Peak parking area
Round Trip Distance: 5 miles
Round Trip Time: 3-5 hours
Terrain: steep 2000 foot elevation gain
Elevation: 8500 feet at trailhead, 10,457 feet at summit

 

On May 22, 1915, an explosive eruption at Lassen Peak, the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range, devastated nearby areas and rained volcanic ash as far away as 200 miles to the east. This explosion was the most powerful in a 1914-17 series of eruptions that were the last to occur in the Cascades before the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Lassen Peak is the largest of a group of more than 30 volcanic domes erupted over the past 300,000 years in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

The Trail: The trail to the top of Lassen Peak begins at the peak parking area at an elevation of 8500 feet. The popular trail is 2.5 miles one-way to the summit. There are many fantastic vistas of the park and surrounding areas from the trail (see picture gallery below). The summit provides one of the most spectacular views of the Devastated Area, a view from the top looking down (see picture in gallery below). This view is the best vantage point to contemplate the power of the 1914-17 eruptions. The lingering rotten-egg smell of hydrogen sulfide near the summit reminds visitors that Lassen is still considered an active, but dormant, volcano.

There are many switchbacks and the trail can be steep and rocky at times. Hiking boots are recommended. A round trip takes 3 to 5 hours.

 

Reach the Peak Hike-a-Thon | Sunday, July 30

Ready, set, hike! Join us for the inaugural Reach the Peak Hike-A-Thon on Sunday, July 30. Climb Lassen Peak with your fellow park stewards and raise money for the park's Youth Camping Program.

 

Reach the Peak Trail Restoration Project

The multi-year project to restore and rehabilitate the Lassen Peak Trail was completed in October, 2014. Learn more about the Reach the Peak Project.