Oversnow Route Conditions

Season for Winter/Spring Oversnow Routes: November - May

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

Last updated: 5/31/2023 | You may need to reload page to see updates. Periodically updated once snow falls, typically from November - May. View current snow depths

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:5/31/23 - 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

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	Road opened to Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Road cleared 3-miles past the visitor center for walking, bicycles. Route passes through avalanche terrain. Road is not open to vehicles beyond Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.
Sulphur Works (via Hwy Route)	2.0	Beginner	Road is free of snow from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center to Sulphur Works. Not open to vehicle access. Entire distance from parking to Sulphur Works and return is 2 miles.
Lassen Peak	17.0	Advanced	Snow depth varies due to wind-blown and/or melted snow. Conditions are always changing due to high elevation and exposure. Snowshoes/ ski, boot crampons, and ice axe are 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. The road to the trailhead is not accessible by vehicle. Entire distance from parking to summit and return is 17 to 20 miles.
Ridge Lakes	2.0	Intermediate	Completely snow covered. Requires snowshoes and navigation skills. Can be slippery and icy no trail to follow. The road to the trailhead is not accessible by vehicle. Entire distance from parking to Ridge Lakes is 4 miles.
Forest Lake	2.4	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Snowshoes or skis with trekking poles are advised.
Brokeoff Mountain	7.0	Advanced	Completely snow covered. Watch for natural dangerous ice bridges over creek and river. Snow can range from icy to slippery to deep. Avalanches can persist throughout the spring snow conditions. 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 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			Not Advised. First bridge is still too steep with snow on either side to cross the bride.
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area Lassen National Forest	Varies	Varies	Patchy snow. 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 clearing operations are taking place. Check on road clearing status.
Reflection Lake Loop	0.5	Beginner	No snow.
Manzanita Lake Campground Loop	1.8	Beginner	No snow.
Manzanita Lake Loop	1.8	Beginner	No snow.
Chaos Crags Route	4.0	Intermediate	Snow covered, then patchy snow with some trail showing. This patchy snow can be the most difficult for people to find the trail and easy to get lost. Have maps, compass, GPS and route-finding skills.
Nobles Emigrant Route	5.2	Intermediate	No snow.
Manzanita Creek	7.5	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Snowshoes or skis are necessary. Trekking poles are recommended.
Butte Lake Area | Elevation range:6,100 feet - 8,338 feet
Butte Lake Road	6.0		No longer a winter route.
Warner Valley Area | Elevation range: 5,600 feet - 7,408 feet Area Closed to Vehicle Access for Dixie Fire repair.
Warner Valley Road	6.0		Road is free of snow, but closed to vehicles. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
Juniper Lake Area | Elevation range: 6,700 feet - 8,048 feet: Area Closed to Vehicle Access for Dixie Fire repair.
Juniper Lake Road	4.0		Road is partially free of snow, but several washouts exist. Closed to vehicles. 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.