More complete details coming fall 2025.
Since we’re driving so far north into the state, we often combine a few days at Lassen with a few days at Lava Beds National Monument.
Map of Lassen and Lava Beds
The map below shows locations in both Lassen and Lava Beds (if you’re a Google Earth fan, you can see the map in Google Earth here).
Geology & what we’ll see
Mt. Lassen: The volcano
Mt. Lassen was last active in a series of eruptions between 1914 and 1917. It is the southernmost active volcano of the Cascades Range (which includes Mt. Shasta, Crater Lake, Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Rainier).
Mt. Lassen is one of the few volcanic mountains over 10,000 feet that you can reach the peak of with only 2,000 feet of gain. The trailhead off the main road is at 8,500 ft, and the summit is 10,475 ft. The hike is 4.9 miles round trip, but since we’re climbing at over 8,000 ft, the altitude will slow most of us down. AllTrails reports that the average time for the round-trip is 3.5 hours.
Hydrothermal areas: Bumpass Hell & Devils Kitchen
Details and photos coming soon.
Lava Beds National Monument
Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 800 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you! (NPS website)
Driving into Lava Beds National Monument, few people realize that they are traveling up the side of a massive volcano. The monument is located on the Medicine Lake shield volcano, which is the largest volcano by volume in the Cascade Range at 144 cubic miles. Shield volcanoes are broad, gently sloping mountains that form from many dispersed, low energy eruptions of very fluid molten rock. These liquid rock flows are able to travel great distances before hardening, and result in a large, low-profile volcano. This is in contrast to the tall, pointed composite cones (or stratovolcanoes) that form from eruptions of relatively thick, cool lavas exploding or oozing from a central collection of vents. This viscous lava travels only a short distance before hardening into a steep cone, much like Mount Shasta. (NPS website)
Caves
The caves at Lava Beds were formed when the tops of rivers of lava hardened (like a frozen river). The lava continued through the rivers until the source stopped flowing, and the lava in the tubes drained out due to gravity pulling it down the now-covered stream.
There are 24 caves that the public can explore, ranging from ones that are easy to walk through to ones that require crawling, knee pads, and bringing a good map. We usually explore one or two “Least challenging” caves and one or two “Moderately challenging” caves.
Lava Beds is about 120 miles and 2.5 hours from Lassen, so most years we’ll add this on as a last two days extension, packing up camp at Lassen and staying at the campground in Lava Beds National Monument.
Cones: Spatter and Cinder
Near the campsite there are several spatter and cinder cones we’ll visit.
Cultural History
This region has a long cultural history as well. The Modoc tribe lived in the area for thousands of years before their forced relocation by US in the latter half of the 19th century. Captain Jack’s Stronghold commemorates the resistance of a band of Modoc people who eluded and fought off the US Army soldiers who were there to remove them from their homeland.
Slightly to the east, the Tule Lake War Relocation Authority camps for the internment of Japanese Americans during WW2. The camp has been dismantled, but a small Vistors’ Center is worth a visit.
Camping/lodging
We usually stay at the Lost Creek Group Campground, which holds 10-25 campers.
There are no hotels in the park, but for those who don’t want to camp, the Tall Timbers Bed and Breakfast is about 13 miles/20 minutes from the campground (rooms run in the $170-200/night range as of July 2024). Trip donations include camping fee, but not hotel fees.
Weather/temperature
Below is a table for the summit. Temperatures in the campground will usually be a bit warmer.
| Mean daily | June | July | Aug | Sept |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max °F | 54 | 63 | 62 | 57 |
| Mean °F | 40 | 48 | 46 | 40 |
| Min °F | 20 | 32 | 31 | 24 |
| Precipitation | 1.8 | 0.22 | 0.23 | 0.79 |
Transportation: Getting there & back
Most years we’ll be camping at Lost Creek Campground. For a sense of distance, Google Maps lists 239 miles and 3 hours 44 minutes from the intersection of I580 and I80 in Albany.
The best way to get to Lost Creek Campground is to not go on Highway 89 across the mountain Rather, take I5 all the way to Anderson (just before Redding). Your nav system will then take you on some major side roads for about 16 miles until you get to CA highway 44. Then take Highway 44 for about 26 miles until you see Highway 89 and signs for Mt. Lassen. Head south on Highway 89 for about five miles, and Lost Creek Campground will be on the left.
The drive between Mt. Lassen and Lava Beds is about 132 miles and takes 2 1/2 hours.
Getting back from Lava Beds to the Bay Area is about 350 miles, the first 150 on state highways (about three hours) until you reach I5 and head south on the freeway.
Other resources
- Geology of Lava Beds National Monument, NPS
- Geologic Map of Medicine Lake Volcano, Northern California, By Julie M. Donnelly-Nolan