Oversnow Route Conditions

Season for Winter/Spring Oversnow Routes: November - May

Last updated: 1/4/2025

You may need to reload page to see updates. Periodically updated starting in November as trails become snow-covered. View current snow depths

View the summer trail conditions page from May through October.

NOTICE: Snow accumulates on the Lassen National Park Highway throughout the snow season (November - April) necessitating the closure of the road to vehicles. The closure and accumulated snow allows for snow-related recreation such as snowshoing or skiing. This equipment is necessary to explore beyond the main entrances and until the road re-opens to vehicles.

Learn more about spring road clearing operations which affect portions of the highway route.

When selecting a route, please consider:

• 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.
• 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 or marked routes.
• 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. Pets are permitted on cleared sections of the park road. As a rule of thumb, Paws on Pavement.
• 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. Usually beginning in March or April.
• Oversnow travel involves risk. Learn more about winter safety including avalanche safety, recreating in a remote area, and route selection. Your saftey is your responsibility.
• 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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Note that all snow-covered routes require navigation and route-finding skills. As hard-packed dirt trails are not visible when underneath several feet of snow.

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	*The route is not groomed. Snow conditions vary. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), Sections of the route pass through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended. Snow cleaing opeartions begin in April. View the alerts and condtions page for road status.
Sulphur Works (via Hwy Route)	2.0	Beginner (most popular route)	Snow-covered. The following applies when the highway route to Sulphur Works is snow-covered: Accumulated snow warrants the need to use skis or snowshoes to reach Sulphur Works. At times, a packed down surface may make it passable without winter equipment. Due to continually changing conditons of the snow, it is advisable to use snowshoes, skis or boot spikes.
Lassen Peak (via Hwy. route)	17.0+	Advanced	Reaching Lassen Peak requires around 15+ miles of travel round trip starting from the southwest park entrance following the road route. Snow traversing equipment is necessary. Snowshoes/ski, boot crampons, and ice axe may be necessary. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), 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 (via Hwy. route)	4.0	Intermediate	Snow-covered. The use of snowshoes or skis is necessary. Skiing is advanced.
Forest Lake	2.4	Intermediate	Snow-covered. The use of snowshoes or skis is necessary. Skiing is advanced. in deep snow (over 2 feet), route-finding is necessary.
Brokeoff Mountain	7.0	Advanced	Snow-covered. Once snow covers the route, snow traversing equipment is necessary. Snowshoes, ice-axe and crampons. Skiing is advanced. Snow depths and conditions vary significantly due to exposed slopes and wind-blown snow. Route-finding is necessary. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), 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 and spring. This trail is closed every winter/spring until 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	4.0	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Once substantial snow covers the route (over 2 feet), route-finding is necessary. *Due to footbridge crossings and narrow sideslopes, this is not an advisable winter route with substanial snow cover. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area Lassen National Forest	Varies	Varies	Snow-covered. Check website for more information. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
Manzanita Lake Area Winter Routes | Elevation range:5,600 feet - 8,530 feet
*Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Conditions vary. *The route is not groomed. Snow clearing opearations begin in March or April. View the alerts and condtions page for road status.
Reflection Lake Loop	0.5	Beginner	Snow-covered. Snowshoes are advised. Not recommended for skiing. Do not walk on lake ice.
Manzanita Lake Campground Loop	1.8	Beginner	Snow-covered. Snowshoes or skis is advised.
Manzanita Lake Loop	1.8	Beginner	Snow-covered. Snowshoes are advised. Not recommended for skiing. Once snow accumulates - Due to exposure, sections of the route may be icy or have little to no snow. Do not walk on lake ice.
Chaos Crags Route	4.0	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Snowshoes are advised. Not recommended for skiing. With substantial snow-coverage, (over 2 feet) route-finding may be necessary.
Nobles Emigrant Route	5.2	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Passes through heavily forested areas. Conditions vary. Snow depth may be marginal or icy. The use of snowshoes, skis, or boot spikes is advised.
Manzanita Creek	7.5	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Snowshoes or skis is advised. With substantial snow coverage (over 2 feet), route-finding may be necessary.
Butte Lake Area | Elevation range: 6,100 feet - 8,338 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Butte Lake Road	6.0	Beginner	Snow-covered. Route is not groomed. Closed to vehicle traffic. Travel by snowshoe or ski is advised.
Warner Valley Area | Elevation range: 5,600 feet - 7,408 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Warner Valley Road	6.0	Beginner	Partially snow-covered. Route is not groomed. The road is closed to vehicle traffic. Non-sufficient snow coverage for snowshoes or skis. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
Juniper Lake Area | Elevation range: 6,700 feet - 8,048 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Juniper Lake Road	4.0	Intermediate	Snow-covered. The road is closed to vehicle traffic. With sufficient snow coverage, snow conditions vary. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.

 

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: Due to hazards created from the Dixie Fire, difficulty navigating with snow on the ground, this trail is not advised in the winter. Sections of the trail cross a steep slope above Mill Creek and are not ideal for oversnow travel. Burned Area Safety - Lassen Volcanic National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• 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.