Oversnow Route Conditions

Season for Winter/Spring Oversnow Routes: November - May

This Oversnow Route Conditions page is updated from November - May.

If looking for hiking conditions during the months of June - October, please refer to the Summer Trail Conditions page, which gives ideas for hiking in summer and fall. Hiking trails can remain snow-covered into June and sometimes July. Trails are not cleared of winter snow accumulation. Trails melt out naturally.

Snow-covered roads and trails in the park are considered winter routes and require snowshoes or skis to enjoy safely. View maps and details of winter routes in the Southwest Area or Manzanita Lake Area. When selecting a route, please consider:

• All trails in the park are covered with snow from approximately November -April/May each year. The park does not clear snow on hiking trails.
• There are no groomed ski routes in the park.
• Many oversnow routes do not follow summer trails exactly; some summer trails are not recommended as oversnow routes.
• Pets are not permitted on snow-covered routes or on the snow-covered park road. Leashed pets are permitted in parking areas. They are also permitted on the plowed park road, once it is free of snow.
• Spring snow clearing operations affects portions of the highway route. Visitors can walk or bike sections of the highway once they are cleared of snow and before they are open to vehicles.
• Oversnow travel involves risk. Learn more about winter safety including avalanche safety, recreating in a remote area, and route selection.
• Bumpass Hell Trail is closed thorughout the snowy season. Remote location, steep drop-offs, cornices, difficult access, avalanche terrain, hidden hazards beneath the snow make this trail unsitable for oversnow travel. This trail typically opens for hiking in June or July.

 

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Last updated: 1/06/22 - This page is updated once snow falls, typically in November. Thoughout the snow season, it is periodically updated when conditions change, if known. Updates may occur thorugh May. | View current snow depths
From June - October, this page is not updated and visitors should go to the Summer Trail Conditions page.

Oversnow Route	Miles (RT)	Difficulty	Condition
Southwest Area Winter Routes | Elevations range from 6,700 feet to 10,457 feet
Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Varies	Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes. Road open for vehicles to Kohm-Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
Sulphur Works (via Hwy Route)	2.0	Beginner	Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect posholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.
Lassen Peak	17.0	Advanced	Lassen Peak trail is entirely snow-covered. Depth varies due to wind-blown snow. Snowshoes are necessary. Crampons or ice axe may be necessary. Ski conditions are unknown. The route passes through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended. Protect the Lassen Peak Trail; do not cut switchbacks once trail is visible.
Ridge Lakes	2.0	Intermediate	Snowshoes or skis are necessary, and trekking poles are recommended.
Forest Lake	1.2	Intermediate	Snow depth varies. Snowshoes or skis are necessary. Trekking poles are recommended.
Brokeoff Mountain	7.0	Advanced	Snowdepth varies due to wind-blown snow. Snowshoes or skis are necessary. Trekking poles are recommended. The route passes through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended.
Bumpass Hell - Closed			NOT A WINTER ROUTE. Trail is closed in winter. This trail is closed every winter/spring until snow is free of snow/ice hazards. Trail typically re-opens in June or July. See trail opening dates from previous years, which are largely affected by snowpack. See summer trail conditions page for more information.
Mill Creek Falls			CLOSED due to the Dixie Fire
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area	Varies	Varies	Snow-covered. Check website for more information.
Manzanita Lake Area Winter Routes | Elevations range from 5,900 feet to 7,200 feet
Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Intermediate	Road is open for vehicles to the Loomis Plaza. Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.
Reflection Lake Loop	0.5	Beginner	Snowshoe is the best method of travel. Some sections of the trail often have thin snow coverage or icy sections. Expect postholing without the use of snowshoes in areas of deeper snow.
Manzanita Lake Campground Loop	1.8	Beginner	Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.
Manzanita Lake Loop	1.8	Beginner	The route is entirely snow-covered. Sections of the trail along the western shore often have thin snow coverage or icy sections. Snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing in deeper snow without the use of snowshoes.
Chaos Crags Route	4.0	Intermediate	Snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of snowshoes.
Nobles Emigrant Route	5.2	Intermediate	Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes. Some setions in deeper forest may have thin, icy snow coverage.
Manzanita Creek	7.5	Intermediate	Ski/snowshoe is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.
Butte Lake Area | Elevations range from 6,100 feet to 8,300 feet
Butte Lake Road	6.0		The road is closed to vehicle traffic throughout the winter snow season. Ski/snowshoes is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.
Warner Valley Area | 5,600 feet
Warner Valley Road	6.0		CLOSED to all uses due to the Dixie Fire.
Juniper Lake Area | 8,000 feet
Juniper Lake Road	4.0		The road is closed to vehicle traffic throughout the winter snow season. Ski/snowshoes is the best method of travel. Expect postholing without the use of skis or snowshoes.

 

Not Recommended for Oversnow Travel

Some summer trails are not recommended for oversnow travel due to hazards including terrain, avalanche danger, and hydrothermal hazards.

• Mill Creek Falls Trail: This trail is CLOSED due to hazards created from the Dixie Fire. The narrow Sulphur Creek footbridge at the start of the trail had burned. There is no alternative to crossing the creek which is dangerous due to swift moving water, and steep banks. Other sections of the trail cross a steep slope above Mill Creek and are not ideal for oversnow travel.
• Bumpass Hell Hydrothermal Area: In addition to requiring nearly 7 miles of one-way travel on the highway route, the summer trail traverses steep slopes above Little Hot Springs Valley which is not safe for oversnow travel. Bumpass Hell Trail remains CLOSED until the trail is snow-free due to these snow/ice hazards.