Cinder Cone
Photos Maps Summary: This hike is also all about the destination and it makes you earn the view from the top. Most of the hike is flat and easy, but the climb up to the top of Cinder Cone is very steep and sandy. Bring plenty of water and take plenty of breaks as you climb. The sand is like black beach sand with a lot more rocks mixed in. You'll definitely get a good calf workout as your feet sink into it while trying to gain the necessary elevation. However, the views from all around the rim of Cinder Cone are worth the effort. Check out Lassen Peak from the north and west rims and Butte Lake, Painted Dunes, Fantastic Lava Beds, and Snag Lake from the north and east rims. There are lots of trails on top of Cinder Cone and you can even walk down to its center. Take your time to marvel at the work Cinder Cone has done with its large basaltic flow (Fantastic Lava Beds) and the brightly colored Painted Dunes. Pair this hike with that up to Prospect Peak for a more strenuous day-hike.Distance: 3.85 miles totalElevation Gain/Loss: 875' totalSeason: mid-May through OctoberFees & Permits: None (other than the park entrance fee)
Finding the Trailhead: 40.56380 N, 121.30218 W (Butte Lake Trailhead). From the CA-44/89 intersection north of Lassen Volcanic National Park, follow CA-44 to the southeast for ~11.0 miles before turning right at the Butte Lake Campground sign. Follow the road for ~6.6 miles, paying the entrance fee along the way. From here, you can turn right and reach the trailhead where there are a few parking spaces or you can continue straight, park along the loop, and walk to the trailhead.
The Hike: From the trailhead follow the trail to the southwest at the northern edge of the Fantastic Lava Beds. At ~0.4 miles pass by the intersection with the Prospect Peak Trail (to the right). After this, the trail begins to climb slightly through the open forest until you see Cinder Cone rising from the black ground. Look to the left (south) of Cinder Cone for views of the Painted Dunes. At ~1.3 miles the junction with the Cinder Cone Trail is reached. Turn left and enjoy the flat section before the steep, sandy climb begins. In less than 0.25 miles the trail gains a little over 400' in elevation. Imagine climbing an immense black and rocky sand dune. Marvel at the few hardy trees eking out an existence on the slope near the bottom to the east and just above the trail to the south near the top.Once you reach the top (~1.6 miles) you can head left (northeast) or right (southwest) and you can decide to stay on the upper loop or descend to the lower loop. We decided to walk the upper loop clockwise (turn left). Shortly, we reached the summit of Cinder Cone on the northern rim after passing a connecting trail down to the lower loop. The view of Lassen Peak from the north rim is nice. We continued walking to the east rim and thoroughly enjoyed the views toward Butte Lake and over the Painted Dunes and Fantastic Lava Beds.
At the southeast corner of Cinder Cone is a tree offering the only shade on top and a nice place to sit and admire the views. There is a trail that heads down the southeast side of Cinder Cone. Also here, is another connecting trail down to the lower loop (~1.85 miles). We walked down to the lower loop to get a glimpse at the center of Cinder Cone (~0.1 miles round-trip). Back on the upper loop we continued toward the west rim; continuing to enjoy the views as we walked. At the west rim is an excellent view of Lassen Peak above the western end of the Painted Dunes. Look back toward the center of Cinder Cone for our favorite view of the top. We finished the loop (~2.15 miles total) and headed back down toward the trailhead, taking our time on the way down the steep slope.
