32. Lassen Peak

Length:	5 miles round trip
Hiking time:	4 hours
High point:	10,453 feet
Total elevation gain:	2,000 feet
Difficulty:	moderate
Water:	none; bring plenty
Maps:	USGS 7.5' Lassen Peak, park brochure
Information:	Lassen Volcanic National Park

Along with its cousin Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak dominates the skyline of inland Northern California. Climb this massive volcano, which last erupted in 1921, and enjoy panoramic views ranging over 100 miles in every direction.

Note that conditions on the summit often differ dramatically from those at the trailhead. Prepare for high winds and snow-reflected sunlight by bringing layers of warm clothes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunblock. Also, don't begin the climb in threatening weather; there's nowhere to hide from lightning strikes.

To reach the trailhead, drive 12 miles north on Highway 89 from Highway 36 or 22 miles south on Highway 89 from Highway 44.

Begin the steady ascent and enjoy good views. As you climb, the mountain hemlock trees decrease in size and eventually disappear as whitebark pine, which can better tolerate the harsher weather conditions prevalent at higher elevations, increase in number.

Once you reach the summit at 2.5 miles, the topography of Northern California spreads in all directions: To the north, Mount Shasta, second highest of the Cascade volcanoes, reigns in white splendor; the broad Modoc Plateau and steep-sided Warner Mountains lie to the northeast; the mighty Sierra Nevada extends from Lake Almanor south; across the vast extent of the Sacramento Valley, the Coast Range marches westward; and north of the Coast Range, the rocky peaks of the Trinity Alps punctuate the Klamath Mountains.

Near Lassen Park, you can see numerous natural features, including examples of the four major volcano types. Plug dome volcanoes, such as Lassen Peak, extrude thick, pasty, andesitic lava. Shield volcanoes, such as Prospect Peak 10 miles to the northwest, emit liquid basalt, which can spread for miles. Cinder cones, such as the aptly named Cinder Cone 2 miles southwest of Prospect Peak, eject ash, cinders, and rocks. Stratovolcanoes, such as Mount Shasta, contain layers of andesitic lava, cinders, and ash and are thus called composite volcanoes. Mount Tehama, a former resident of the park, was also a stratovolcano, with Sulphur Works as its probable central vent. Look south at Pilots Pinnacle, Mount Diller, and Brokeoff Mountain to the remnants of Tehama's west rim.

Be sure to hike around Lassen Peak's summit and see how the volcanic activity from 1914 to 1917 dramatically altered its topography; much of the snow-encrusted, chunky rock on the top was extruded during that time. Eruptions sent an ash cloud 33,000 feet into the air and caused mud and rock to course down the mountain's northeast flank, destroying several square miles of forest now known as the Devastated Area.