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 shovel or plow 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 every winter, due to hidden hazards beneath the snow. This trail typically opens for hiking in June or July.

 

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Last updated: 5/27/21 - No more updates to this page until October/November | View current snow depths
This page is only updated November-May. During those months, the page will be updated when there are significant changes. 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	No longer a winter route.
Sulphur Works (via Hwy Route)	2.0	Beginner	No longer a winter route.
Lassen Peak	17.0	Advanced	No longer a winter route. Lassen Peak trail is partially snow-covered. Due to snow-melt, this trail is not ideal for snowshoeing or skiing. Snow coverage is sufficient for skiing at the top of Lassen Peak. The snow is better in the morning rather than the afternoon. For traversing the route on foot, snowshoes are required, and crampons and ice axe may be necessary. 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	No longer a winter route.
Forest Lake	1.2	Intermediate	No longer a winter route.
Brokeoff Mountain	7.0	Advanced	No longer a winter route.
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			No longer a winter route.
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area	Varies	Varies	No longer a winter route. Located in Lassen National Forest, 2.5 miles south of the Southwest Entrance. Pets are permitted on oversnow routes in Lassen National Forest.
Manzanita Lake Area Winter Routes | Elevations range from 5,900 feet to 7,200 feet
Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Intermediate	No longer a winter route.
Reflection Lake Loop	0.5	Beginner	No longer a winter route.
Manzanita Lake Campground Loop	1.8	Beginner	No longer a winter route.
Manzanita Lake Loop	1.8	Beginner	No longer a winter route.
Chaos Crags Route	4.0	Intermediate	No longer a winter route.
Nobles Emigrant Route	5.2	Intermediate	No longer a winter route.
Manzanita Creek	7.5	Intermediate	No longer a winter route.
Butte Lake Area | Elevations range from 6,100 feet to 8,300 feet
Butte Lake Road	6.0		No longer a winter route. Butte Lake Road is open to vehicles.
Warner Valley Area | 5,600 feet
Warner Valley Road	6.0		No longer a winter route. Warner Valley Road is open to vehicles.
Juniper Lake Area | 8,000 feet
Juniper Lake Road	4.0		No longer a winter route. Juniper Lake Road is open to vehicles.

 

Not Recommended for Oversnow Travel

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

• Mill Creek Falls Trail: The narrow Sulphur Creek footbridge at the start of the trail often holds steeply banked snow, which makes the crossing hazardous. 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 and are not safe for oversnow travel. Bumpass Hell Trail remains closed until the trail is snow-free due to these snow/ice hazards.