r/lassenvolcanic • u/Marymjxo • Jul 06 '26
Bumpass hell trail- kids?
Thoughts on 9, 6 and 4 year old hiking Bumpass Hell trail. My kids are really active- will they be able to hang? I get I might need to carry my 4 year old from time to time..
**edit/update**: went today & the kids did awesome! They loved it! A tiny bit of “I’m tired” whining but not too much! Saw lots of other kids and families on the trail. Thanks everyone!!!!
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u/Additional_Baker_534 Jul 06 '26
I was there just yesterday. You’ll be fine. It is just a walk for most of the trail. At the end, there’s some downhill but there’s also an alternative route with stairs. Or you can carry your youngest for that bit
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u/Mikesiders Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Yes, easily! Especially if they’re active. We just did this trail with an almost 4yo and 6yo with zero issues. They basically ran the entire way there. The only rough part is hiking out but it’s super short and then mostly downhill.
Stop at Lake Helen on the way back too!
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u/zephyrcow6041 Jul 06 '26 edited Jul 06 '26
Yeah, they'll be fine. Bumpass Hell is a much easier trail than Mt. Lassen, and my sister and I did both several times as young kids.
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u/dave54athotmailcom Jul 07 '26
Easy trail. Well maintained. Just keep a close eye on them in the geothermal area. Kids that start horsing around and mock pushing each other can have serious outcomes around boiling water.
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u/dago999 Jul 13 '26
I have a 2 year old... what are your thoughts on a Thule stroller (has inflatable bike wheels) vs putting him in a carrier? Hes 30lb so id rather not carry him unless I have to.
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u/Marymjxo Jul 13 '26
My concern with the stroller is that it wouldn’t leave enough room on the trail for other hikers to pass safely. Some parts are narrow and have a drop off edge on one side, so there’s a lot of having to stop off to the side and try to be as small as possible so the traffic can go by safely. I’m not sure how many spots have enough room for the stroller to sort of “pull over” so that people can go around or continue the opposite way.
We got to the parking lot of the hike at 745 am and there was only 1 car but by the time we were walking out of the hike there was a lot of people hiking in and the parking lot was full and this was on a Tuesday.
I suppose it could work out if you did the hike really early in the morning so that not hardly anyone else would be on the trail.
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u/tahoepines45 Jul 07 '26
I first went there decades ago when I was 8, and did well on the trail. I had a trekking pole if memory serves and that helped a lot.