Weโll assemble in Reno, and van shuttle early morning ofย Day 1 to the Drakesbad region of the park. Weโll spend the afternoon exploring the Warner Valley region with its bubbling hot springs, lush meadows, and secluded lakes. Weโll climb moderately from the valley and visit Devilโs Kitchen, and then take a loop around Boiling Springs Lake (6 miles). Weโll then head to Chester and our first of two overnights at the Rose Quartz Inn. Weโre headed for Lassenโs south entrance on Day 2ย for the hike up Brokeoff Mountain. The steady trail and views from the top are what many consider to be Lassenโs finest hike. (8 miles).
Weโll return to the park on Day 3 to the Kings Creek Trailhead for a double feature of Bumpass Hell and Kings Creek Falls, with options dependent on current conditions.ย The trails offer a variety of thermal features and alpine terrain on this scenic hike (8-10 miles). Weโll spend the night in the lovely Village Inn at Highlands Ranch.
On Day 4ย weโll climb Lassen to its spectacular 10,457 -foot crest along a trail that is well maintained and non-technical. From the summit the views of Mt. Shasta to the northwest and the Devastated Area on the slopes of Lassen itself are breathtaking (5 miles). Weโll be down from Lassen early enough to enjoy a picnic along the shores of Lake Helen.ย Weโll then head to the parkโs western entrance and the Manzanita Lake Museum and Visitor Center on the way to Shingletown and the secluded setting of the Grace Lake Resort where weโll spend our final two overnights.
Onย Day 5,ย we visit a cluster of glacially-sculpted lakes on the hike in Paradise Meadows. Weโll climb from Summit Lake, then a long descent along cascading Hat Creek into the meadows.ย There will be time in the afternoon to visit the Subway Caves, the unique and accessible Lava Tubes within Lassen National Forest.
On Day 6, we travel by way of the parkโs far northeastern corner on the shores of Butte Lake for a memorable encounter with awesome Cinder Cone. This ash covered vent provides yet another unique feature in this surprising national park, for a memorable end to our week in Lassen! (5 miles) We will return to Reno in late afternoon.
