Wintertime in Lassen
Lassen Volcanic National Park (and beyond) Bucket List: Winter Edition
Beat your cabin fever with a trip into the winter wonderland of Lassen.
The crunch of snow and your breath are the only things you can hear. The lively, green forest you visited last summer is now blanketed in white. While hundreds of thousands of visitors experience the mountain's majesty during the warmer months, the true magic of the park only reveals itself to the brave few who make the trek in winter. On a clear bluebird day, the deafening silence and the bright, clean landscape are sure to cure anyone going stir-crazy with cabin fever.
Who says outdoor adventures have to end in the dog days of Summer? There’s so much to explore and do in this real-life snow globe! We’ll share our favorite places to go, things to do, and tips for making your winter adventure safe and fun for the whole family!
Photo by Kimon Maritz on Unsplash
Go prepared:
There’s nothing worse than being cold, wet, or even worse, stuck on the side of the road in freezing temperatures.
So before you get in the car to head up to the mountain, use this checklist to ensure you have what you need for a successful day of playing in the snow.
Make sure you’re dressed for the weather: lots of layers, waterproof boots, a snow jacket, gloves, and a hat are all necessary.
Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter travel. That means plenty of gas, studded tires or chains, extra water, blankets, and snacks. A small shovel and matches might also come in handy.
Know where you’re going and the road conditions getting there.
Check the weather of your destination. It might be sunny in the valley, but a storm could be brewing at higher elevations. Snow=good, snowstorm=not good.
Pack a complete change of warm clothes for each person.
Make sure your phone is fully charged. And take an extra battery or charger with you.
Let someone know where you’re going and when you’ll be back, especially if you’ve never been there before.
Lake Helen in winter at Lassen Volcanic National Park
Photo by @deannalewis on Unsplash
Recreation areas:
Number one for Wintertime fun: Lassen Volcanic National Park.
While both the southwest and northwest sections of the park offer adventure opportunities, we’ll be exploring just the southwest part of the park, which is just 15 minutes from Mill Creek Resort. The road to the southwest entrance of the park is plowed, and parking is available at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Entrance fees are only $10 per vehicle in the winter, making it an affordable way to enjoy the park. The visitor center is open seven days a week with limited services, but restrooms and an emergency phone are available 24 hours a day. Self-contained car or RV camping is allowed in the parking lot, but please be aware that the Southwest Campground is closed for tent camping for the 2022/2023 winter season due to hazards from the 2021 Dixie Fire.
You can snowshoe and cross-country ski the 30-mile section of highway through the park after it closes to vehicle traffic after the first big snowfall. The Lassen Ski Area quit operating in 1994, but backcountry skiers and snowboarders still use the area. Side trails to popular sights are accessible with an able body and the right equipment. One of our favorite ways to experience Lassen is to go on a (free!) ranger-led snowshoe hike, which are offered from January through March. It’s a fun way to meet new people, hike with a group, and learn more about the park from a knowledgeable and engaging park ranger. And they even provide snowshoes! Some restrictions do apply, so see https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/ranger_led_programs.htm
Our absolute favorite place to visit is Sulpher Works, just a mile from the parking lot. The steaming, bubbling mud pot is such a sharp contrast to the snowy silence; it almost feels as if you’re on another planet.
The Ridge Lakes and Forest Lake Trails are the other intermediate trails accessible from the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Are you looking for something a little more extreme? Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain are for experienced mountain climbers with specialized equipment like crampons, ice axes, and avalanche gear.
And remember— pets are not allowed on oversnow routes (only in the parking lots), and there are no equipment rentals, fuel, or restaurants in Lassen Volcanic National Park. More information about places to rent gear and grab a bite to eat is included below.
Click this link for current information and trail conditions at Lassen Volcanic National Park.
https://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/oversnow_route_conditions.htm
Other nearby trails and snowparks outside of the national park worth visiting:
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area
Lake Almanor Recreation Trail
Bizz Johnson Trail
Snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals:
Mineral Lodge - Mineral, CA
The Village at Child’s Meadow - Mill Creek, CA
Bodfish Bicycles/Quiet Mountain Sports - Chester, CA
Redding Sports Ltd - Redding, CA
Chico Sports Ltd - Chico, CA
Mountain Sports - Chico, CA
Snowman at Mill Creek Resort
Fun for the Whole Family:
Wintertime fun stretches beyond the trail: Break out the hot cocoa, sleds, and a corn cob pipe for all-day family fun.
Make a snowman or snow angel. If you leave the carrots and top hats at home, decorate him with forest finds like branches for arms, rocks for eyes, and cedar boughs for a funky hair-do. Get creative! Is it even winter without Frosty the Snowman making an appearance?!
Build an igloo. Repurpose plastic totes and buckets to make your blocks. Snow on the “wetter” side works better, and remember to bring a shovel!
Start a (friendly) snowball fight. Pro-tip— get a couple of snowball makers and start building your warchest before your enemies!
Have a fire and make s’mores and hot cocoa. Bring your own firewood and firepan to create a place to warm up those cold fingers and toes. And don’t forget the marshmallows and roasting sticks!
Go sledding. Safety first! Sledding can be dangerous, but with the right precautions and gear, it’s a great way to spend the day! Two great places for sledding include the hill at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in Lassen Volcanic National Park and just down the road at Mineral Lodge.
Picking the “perfect” Christmas tree
Christmas Tree Hunting:
The yearly tradition of tromping through the forest for the “perfect” tree to bring home and decorate is our absolute favorite part of winter!
And both Lassen National Forest and Plumas National Forest are great places to find and cut your Christmas Tree! But please be aware that a permit is required anytime you cut wood on federal lands. It’s important you know where you’re allowed to cut and what you’re allowed to cut. Permits are inexpensive (around $10) and can be purchased at local Forest Service offices as well as online. Use these links for more information and to purchase your permit.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/lassen/passes-permits/forestproducts/?cid=fseprd839831
https://www.recreation.gov/tree-permits/27724292-ebd0-11ea-b83f-6e0e43d29f74
Photo by Stefan Vladimirov on Unsplash
Places to eat:
What better way to end a day of playing in the snow than sharing a hot meal with your friends and family? While many of the local restaurants are closed for the winter season, there are a few that serve year-round.
Mineral Lodge. American fare like burgers, sandwiches, salads, and a full bar.
Highland’s Ranch. Upscale casual dining offering steaks, seafood, and salads with an incredible view of Child’s Meadow.
Our top three favorite places In Chester:
Kopper Kettle
Cravings
Ranch House
Christmastime at Mill Creek Resort
Staying at Mill Creek Resort in Winter:
Our heated, cozy cabins will be a welcomed sight at the end of the day!
Spend the evening playing games, reading, and sipping something hot while watching the snowfall outside. Our cabin rentals are available through the New Year’s holiday before they go into hibernation until May.
Make your holiday memories at Mill Creek Resort! Beat the hustle and bustle of the holidays by spending Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s with us! Enjoy the peace and quiet you can only get in the winter wonderland of Lassen!
Use the link below to make wintertime reservations at Mill Creek Resort.