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Lassen Peak, located east of Redding and Red Bluff on I-5, is the largest plug-dome volcano in the world. It is also the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade range and until Mount St. Helens in 1980, held the most recent eruptions in the continental US from May 1914 to 1921. Because of the public's interest in the area during and following the eruptive phase, Lassen Volcanic National Park was created in 1916 to include the peak and surrounding area.

Geothermal activity is still very present in the area and can be viewed at Bumpass Hell and Sulfur Works in the park; both of these areas are thought to arise from the magma chamber of the once-dominant Mt. Tehama, which was glaciated into virtual oblivion. Brokeoff Mountain remains as the highest remnant of a peak that stood approximately 11,000' above sea level.

Lassen Peak actually formed along a side vent of Mt. Tehama that eventually collapsed in on itself, becoming a "plug-dome" volcano.

During the winter and spring Lassen is popular ski mountaineering and snowboard destination. Summer to autumn hiking on this peak is straight-forward following a tourist trail which asends the Southeast Ridge to the summit from the 8,500' Lassen Peak trailhead. Due to its location, Lassen Peak may receive more snow than any other part of California, often with 30+ foot snow drifts above 8,000 feet, making it an ideal mountain summit for ski mountaineering, backcountry snowboarding, and general mountaineering. After the road is plowed in late spring it is even possible to hike up the south side in sandals to ski / snowboard down. The Northeast (4,000' descent), Southeast, South, Southwest, and West Faces offer popular ski descent runs.

Routes Overview

During the summer, the only route to the summit that is permitted is the Lassen Peak Trail, however, during the winter and spring many other routes are open for climbing and skiing / boarding.

Going counter clockwise from the south:
� South Face
� Lassen Peak Trail (Southeast Ridge)
� Southeast Face (aka East Face)
� Northeast Face (aka North Face)
� North Ridge
� West Face<
� Southwest Face

For a great map of the area showing most climbing and skiing routes, take a look at Amar Andalkar's Lassen Topographic Route Map

Getting There

Year round trailheads to this peak are on the Lassen Loop Road whether you are driving to the Lassen Peak trailhead on the South Side or cross-country skiing from the Manzanita Lake or Mineral entrances to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

LASSEN PEAK TRAILHEAD FROM NORTH: To reach this summer trailhead, leave I-5 at Redding heading East on California SR-44. Continue South on to California SR-89 at the junction and drive another 22 miles past the Manzanita Lake park entrance to the trailhead.
LASSEN PEAK TRAILHEAD FROM SOUTH: Leave I-5 at Red Bluff heading East on California SR-36 towards Mineral. Turn north at the SR-89 junction and continue 12 miles into the park to reach the trailhead.
EMIGRANT PASS / DEVASTATED AREA (6,446'): There is a gate on CA SR-89 at Emigrant Pass that is just south of the Devastated Area parking lot. This is about 10 miles from the northern entrance of the park. When the road is plowed this is a popular trailhead for the North Ridge, Northeast Face, and Southeast Face routes.
WINTER VISITS: Most of the Lassen Loop Road is not plowed during the winter, however, the south Mineral entrance is plowed to the Lassen Chalet and visitor center including the relatively large parking lot from where you can ski into the park. To the North, SR-89 is plowed until the Manzanita Lake trailhead from where you can ski in.

Red Tape

Lassen Volcanic National Park is part of the US National Parks Service and a park entrance fee is charged. As of June 2008, a 7-Day vehicle entry pass is $10 and an annual pass to just this park is $25. You also have the option of purchasing an American the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass for $80.

As fees and information may change, please take a look at the following links for the latest and greatest:

� Lassen Volcanic National Park Fees
� America the Beautiful Pass Info

When To Climb and Ski

Generally, people climb June to October, but ascents are possible year round. The ski season is typically from February to early June. During the winter the most of the Lassen Loop Road isn't plowed which means you'll have a much longer approach. See the Getting There Section above for more information. This often means that people will opt to ski Brokeoff Mountain and other peaks closer to the south Mineral entrance station.

Camping

If all you're interested in doing is climbing up the trail to the summit, then camping probably isn't required. If you plan on exploring the other great sites within Lassen Volcanic National Park, then opportunities abound! For campsite reservations, please visit www.recreation.gov or call them at 1-877-444-6777.

Campgrounds
� Butte Lake (Individual & Group) - backcountry
� Juniper Lake (Group) - backcountry
� Lost Creek (Group)
� Manzanita Lake - awesome area with fantastic views of the mountain
� Summit Lake, North
� Summit Lake, South - closest to Lassen Peak Trail

For more information about the campground specifics, please visit the appropriate NPS website.