cinder cone

This is a very unique trail in Lassen that you typically won’t’ see in other national park. The trail can be completed in about 3 hours. The trail is only 4 miles round trip with 846 feet of elevation gain.It is a bit tricky to get to this trail. You have to go back to HYW 44 and go 24 miles east. Then turned right into the Butt Lake Campground sign. Then there is a 6 miles of off road and it can get quite dusty so be prepared. The parking lot is on the other side of the campground and it is labeled day use for Butt Lake. Restroom facility is available at the parking lot but not at the top of the trail. Go early in the day as the black sand tends to absorb the sun and it can get a lot warmer. Also, having a trekking pole will make it a lot easier for your ascend and descend. The first 1 mile is a bit shaded and slightly uphill. However, the sandy surface made it a bit harder to walk. When the trail gets to the end, the cinder cone comes into sight. In a first glance, it is a very steep incline and it is interesting to see dots of hikers up on the hill that is barely moving. The good news is that the uphill part is fairly short. Once you get up it opens up to a crater and you can walk around the rim. You can see the painted dunes on your right side. It is a pretty amazing view. You can continue to go down to the crater but it is steeper than the early ascend and shorter.

Yes, the first step is to get to it... Not easy and very bad directions from Lassen Park. Access is from the North of Lassen Park (You can't get to it by car from the main road in Lassen), and following directions to Butte Lake and Campground is your best bet. Once there, park at the end of the road, hike in the forest and enjoy the shadow while it last. Then, this is the tough part, hiking the Cone. It is tough but as long as you have enough water and are ready to make multiple stops, you'll get to the top! (I'm not in a great physical shape and overweight but climbed the cone in 49'). The rest is pure pleasure. Gorgeous views all around, inside, aside, etc... Don't miss it in Lassen. Can be done with kids. Nice views of Lava beds, painted dunes and Mount Lassen in the far. Make sure you take the back trail to come back. It goes into the dunes and offers also great panoramas.

This is a really rewarding hike- my favourite in Lassen Park. There is a paper 'trail guide' at the start of the walk (Butte Lake) and a map of the route on a post, though it's easy enough to work out where to go. It is relatively short (~ a couple of miles) with the first section only slightly uphill (but on a 'sandy' surface). The later section of the trail is very steep and tough going, as you are on the cinder cone itself, the surface of which is very loose underfoot. If the sun is out you will be very exposed, so take lots of water and dress appropriately (boots!). My advice would be to just take your time and don't give up! From the top of the cone you have an amazing view of the surrounding area, including the inside of the cone, the fantastic lava beds and painted dunes. You can also see Mt Lassen. If you can't make it up the cone you can explore the painted dunes via a path that leads round the right hand side of the cone.The start of the hike is located at Butte Lake, Lassen Volcanic Park. You need to enter from the highway, not via the main park entrances. The 6 mile road is unpaved. Its condition is not bad and it is drivable in a compact provided you are not too nervous a driver/ willing to drive it in a rental (noting this will generally not be insured!). The road surface is gravel. There are a few potholes to avoid and some sections are 'washboard'. Toilet facilities are available at the carpark by the lake.

We originally were going to climb Lassen Peak, but were informed it was closed for trail repairs. A park ranger recommended this instead. So we decided to go for it. This trail is away from the main entrances of the park. We had a rented hyundai elantra and getting back to the trail head was doable but slow going. We chose to hike this early in the day since we were told it is totally exposed and can get quite hot in the summer. We starting the trail shortly after 7am. It is a hard hike. You basically walk through ash the entire way. Think walking on a beach where you can never get a really good foothold. it took some time to get to cinder cone, but I think the actually climb up took me longer than the hike to get to the start of up. Don't give up. Getting to the top was great, although tiring. Views are terrific. You can climb down into the volcano, which my husband choose to do. I was pretty content sitting on a rock and looking at the views. We choose to hike the backside down and loop around to the trail we took in. Going down the back side was interesting. You should have good balance. I basically slid down a bit with every step (its rock and gravel). Kind of a crazy ride. Very glad I did this. But it is challenging.

It was an unusual and unforgettable experience. It might be the first real "strenuous" trail I have done. Yes, you may want to give up sometime during the way up; but, the scenery will reward you when you finally make it!Some information:Location: Off the main entrance of the national park. On 44 east, take the right turn at the sign shows "Lake Butte". You will then drive a 6.2 mile UNPAVED road to lake butte campground, where you can find the sign shows the trailhead of Cinder Cone (and some others). Plenty of dust when you drive, but an ordinary sedan could make it. Weather: We got there at 11:20am 7/5, sunny and 84F. We felt a bit hot on our way back at around 2:30pm. As a reference, the highest temperature at Redding that day is over 105F.What to bring: Water: we (2 people) finish 2.5L water in total. Hat: it is good to bring it, but be aware that the wind on the way up is strong. Alpenstock: not necessary but many people just pick thick tree branches. Shoes: make sure your shoes are comfortable, and expect plenty of sands and pebbles when you finish the trail.Trail Info: 1.2 mile to the bottom of cinder cone, 0.8 mile to the top, and you can do a tour around the rim or into the crater. 4-5 mile round trip in total. Took us (body in averaged shape, not even a beginner hiker) 3-3.5 hours in total, including numerous times of water breaks/rests along the way.Personal Experience: from the trailhead, the first 1.2 mile is actually not flat, nor easy. You have to walk in the soft lava ashes (think of walking in the shallow water), with some ascent. You will see part of fantastic lava beds. Most of the 1.2 mile is shaded. Make sure you take some good rest before the last shade at the bottom of Cinder Cone. Believe me- your rest during the way up is painful- as you have to keep balance on the steep soft lava pebbles, which actually consumes your energy and torture your ankle/shin.The following 0.8 mile is really strenuous, at least for me, because 1) the gravelly trail is "two steps forward, one step back". 2) it is steep, and wind is strong. You have to take some rest at some point, but the trail looks endlessly. 3) Your ankle/shin begin to complain, even you are taking rest, which makes you painful. If you are a group, make sure you help with each other, and encourage everybody else if you are the lead. You can do it!Finally you are on top! Wow! A great achievement in your life! Look at the gorgeous scenery! They are your best rewards! As you walk on the perfect cone-shaped crater rims (outer), you can see Lassen Peak, two Painted Sand Dunes, Fantastic Lava Beds, Lake Butte (and some others), Lassen Forest, and enjoy your feeling of conquer! Take some nice pictures!On the way down, you can do it much faster, but expect more pebbles in your shoes. The 1.2 mile back is relatively easy, but have some snacks in case you are hungry after the workout!We arrived the parking lot at around 2:30pm. Such an amazing journey!

Very unusual. Volcano erupted in mid 1600's, huge lava flow cut a lake in two and left beautiful "painted" dunes. Cinder cone is like climbing a mountain of cinders. Beautiful views at the top.

This hike is absolutely, "two steps forward, one step back." The path is gravelly, and you CANNOT pick up any speed. It is definitely a workout to get to the top, but the views make it all worthwhile. Just absolutely awesome, beautiful! It was very windy at the top.

This is a must do hike at Lassen. It is a bit off the route from rest of the trails. Totally worth it though. We started hiking early and went to the top. Breathtaking view of the painted dunes. We came down through the other end, circled the cinder cone and came back. Altogether, ~3-4 hours hike. It is a bit steep hike with loose gravels. Totally doable for anyone with decent fitness.

This trail is a good hike, but you should be in moderate to decent shape. It is like two steps up and 1 step back. But once you get to the top, you have great views, and its pretty fun and accomplishing to check it out. Recommended for anyone who likes a good hike up.

Go early as it can get very hot. The views are breathtaking as is the climb to the top. The geology/volcanology is fascinating. The biology (distribution of plants) is intriguing.

Cinder Cone is a little volcano. From the top you can see the Painted Dunes (beautiful multi-colored dunes formed from ash from Cinder Cone), the Fantastic Lava Beds (a huge 17th-century lava seep that spreads far from Cinder Cone, around the painted dunes and between two lakes), Butte Lake, Snag Lake, Lassen Peak, Brokeoff Mountain, Red Cinder Cone, Prospect Peak and more of Lassen's unique geology. The top of Cinder Cone is doughnut shaped and you can walk all around the rim and even spiral into the center (which has long since filled in with cinder). It is a rare experience to be able to stand on top of a volcano and look all around at how the volcano and its environs have interacted over time and Lassen has so much gorgeous nature on display. The hike up is DIFFICULT. Really difficult. The Cinder Cone is steep and made of sand and gravel so you can never get good footing. It requires a lot of effort to get to the top. But, man is it worth it!The trail to Cinder Cone is just over a mile and there is a interpretive guide with information about Cinder Cone, the Fantastic Lava beds, Prospect Peak and the Emigrant Trail.

Don't be fooled by this volcanic hike: it does take a couple hours round trip even tho it doesn't look that far to climb. The volcanic cinders that compose the path make for a strenuous climb and a very interesting descent. And the 360 degree views from the top: simply breathtaking.