Erosion alters and forest cover camouflages the classic volcanic shapes of many of the peaks around Mt Lassen but our hike today is unmistakably volcanic. We climb Cinder Cone at Butte Lake on the north side of the park.
First hint, enormous ridges of volcanic boulders deposited over thousands of years, most recently just 370 years ago. At the trailhead, our feet crunch on the sharp, black grains of volcanic sand. To our left, a long wall of jumbled rock, now named the Fantastic Lava Bed, that is the cooled remains of slow flowing A’a lava that escaped from low on the cone.
Black sand is several inches deep now and we are slowly climbing. The forest abruptly stops and before us is a steep trail cut into the side of the 35-degree cinder cone
. This will take a while! The steep angle and deep loose rock make for tough going but we make it. From a height of 850 feet above the surrounding forest the view is impressive. Check it out: Fantastic lava Field, Painted Dunes, Mt. Lassen, Butte Lake, Snag Lake, and a dozen other peaks that are remnants of the violent volcanic past of the area.
Just because, we decide to take the back trail down off the cone. Yikes, we thought he up-slope trail was bad but this one is even steeper and loose rock deeper than boot tops. We make a semi-controlled decent as we ride mini avalanches down the first section of the trail. We manage to stop to admire amazing wildflowers and are greatly relieved to arrive at a more manageable slope on the lower trail. We stop to empty sharp rocks from our boots then make our way on to the trailhead.
It is hard work but I definitely recommend the hike. Take your time and take lots of water. Kent says walking sticks are a great idea too.
On our way to the hike a rare Sierra Nevada Red Fox crossed the road in front of us and a doe with two very tiny spotted fawns made an appearance along the forest route.
As we head toward home we check out a National Forest overlook with a great view of the two most prominent mountains: Lassen and Shasta. It is spectacular. Note to self, this would be a great place for dark skies viewing of the milky way.
