Lassen Peak

Day Six - Crater Lake & Lassen Volcanic National Parks - 2025

An early morning climb up Lassen Volcanic National Park’s highest point, followed by a quick hike to three reflective lakes.

1. Lassen Peak #1

A hiker walks along a hiking path down the steep side of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Lassen Peak is a 10,457-foot / 3,187-meter tall lava dome volcano and is considered the southernmost mountain of the Cascades Range.

On my last full day in the park, I set out to hike up Lassen Peak, the highest point in the park and the (checks) 379th tallest mountain in the United States and its 114th most prominent. I realize this doesn’t sound impressive, but Lassen Peak does tower over the surrounding landscape and makes for a good workout.

2. Lassen Peak #2

A crag pokes out from the earth in the foreground, while a roadway and blue lake can be seen in the background, Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Lassen Peak is one of the world’s largest lava dome volcanoes and is considered active.

The trail up is very well groomed and I suspect easily conquerable by anyone of average fitness. I can definitely recommend it to anyone willing to give it a try. I got lucky with my climb: despite lingering clouds and far-off rain, the inclement weather stayed away from the mountain.

Twelve more photographs of my climb up and down Lassen Peak follow.

3. Lassen Peak #3

Clouds darken the landscape looking outwards from Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Lassen Peak erupted multiple times between 1914 and 1917, most spectacularly on 22 May 1915 when it sent ash hundreds of miles / kilometers away; it is one of only two volcanoes in the Lower 48 United States to erupt in the 20th century (along with Mount Saint Helens.)

4. Lassen Peak #4

A zig-zag dirt hiking path can be seen on the spine of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Primarily as a result of the geologic research focused on Cinder Cone, Lassen Peak National Monument (along with a separate Cinder Cone National Monument) was declared in 1907; following the 1915 eruption, both sites and the surrounding area were merged together as Lassen Volcanic National Park in August 1916.

5. Lassen Peak #5

Jagged red and tan rocks are seen at the peak of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is spectacular in that it has four types of volcanoes present in such close proximity: stratovolcano / composite (Mount Tehama), plug dome (Lassen Peak, among others), cinder cone (Cinder Cone, among others), and shield (Prospect Peak, adjacent to Cinder Cone, among others.)

6. Lassen Peak #6

Several mountains are seen far beyond the red, tan, and white sides of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Amazingly, a local resident -Justin Hammer- filmed the 1917 Lassen Peak eruption -which you can see here- likely the first volcanic eruption captured on video.

7. Lassen Peak #7

Mount Shasta is seen in the far distance beyond the rocky peak of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Lassen Peak receives the most snowfall of any point in California each year -660 inches / 17 meters- but is not cold enough year-round to support the formation of glaciers.

8. Lassen Peak #8

A small field of snow is seen beyond the rocky peak of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

9. Lassen Peak #9

Beneath thick grey clouds can be seen the rocky peak of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

10. Lassen Peak #10

A lake and a mountain - Brokeoff Mountain - can be seen from the peak of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

11. Lassen Peak #11

Trees and mountains stretch into the distance towards a large lake underneath thick grey clouds, as seen from Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

12. Lassen Peak #12

A golden-mantled ground squirrel is seen among white and red rocks on the edge of Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

13. Lassen Peak #13

A hiking path is seen with rain falling in the distance near Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

14. Lassen Peak #14

A green meadow with pine trees is seen rolling away towards a distant lake from Lassen Peak, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

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15. Cliff Lake

A clear green lake filled with downed trees is seen in front of a tall pine tree-covered rocky hill, Lassen Volcanic National Park, California, United States.

Frankly I thought I would be torched from my morning climb, but when I returned to the parking lot well before lunchtime I realized I quite a bit left in the tank. I had planned on hiking the three lakes to Lassen Peak’s east -Cliff, Shadow, and Terrace- in the morning, but after a short conversation with myself realized that if I knocked them out now, I could sleep in a bit longer in the morning. Sold!

Aside from one short, rather step section the trail is a pretty gentle stroll through a quiet pine forest. Thinking about it now, any of the three lakes would make a good spot to have a picnic lunch.

Six more photographs of the lakes follow.

Photographer’s Comment: I would definitely bring a Circular Polarizer Filter along to capture the underwater magic of the lakes.