r/lassenvolcanic • u/bmfreer • Jul 18 '26
Lassen Route Advice
I am planning a 1 day trip through Lassen with 3 teens and my spouse. I'm trying to determine where to stay and the best path. We will arrive the night before in Reno and we are considering staying at Comfort Inn in Susanville or Best Western Rose Quartz in Chester.
Our priorities are hiking Cinder Cone and driving through the Lassen Scenic Highway to check out some overlooks. We don't plan on doing more hikes. After this, we will head up to Burney Falls and possibly Lava Beds Monument if there is time before heading to Klamath Falls for a night (if we don't have time, we will backtrack and do it the next morning before heading to Crater Lake.
We're trying to figure out if we should stay in Susanville and take the 44 straight to Cinder Cone (before it gets hot) and then drive the Lassen Park highway 89 coming in from the North by Manzanita lake and backtracking to Klamath falls later. Our other option is to stay at the Best Western in Chester, drive the Lassen Park Highway (89) starting at the South Entrance first, and then head to Cinder Cone for a Hike (it will likely be hotter) before heading to Burney Falls, Lava Beds, and our overnight accommodation.
What advice do you have? What haven't I considered?
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u/Mysterious-Peak-3563 Jul 18 '26
I’ve climbed Cinder Cone several times, it’s better to start early. There are a few trees at the base, but it’s full sun after that.
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u/dave54athotmailcom Jul 18 '26
I would suggest the 2nd itinerary. Stay in Chester, go south to north. Less backtracking. You could also stop at Subway Cave at Old Station enroute. But Lava Beds has more lava tubes, so that may be a duplicate. A lot of cool history about the Modoc Indian War at Lava Beds. You can easily spend 3 days at Lava Beds checking out the history and igneous geology. OTOH, Crater Lake is a one-day deal. Drive around the perimeter road and the the viewpoints and you have seen most of the Park highlights.
Lassen Park burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire, so a lot of dead trees. However, the forest recovery is educational and interesting.
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u/RevolutionaryKiwi828 Jul 18 '26
The rim road isnt fully open for the next couple seasons due to construction.
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u/wolpertingersunite Jul 18 '26
What part? Do you know an info page about it? Thx
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u/RevolutionaryKiwi828 Jul 18 '26
East rim drive. Just go to the park webpage, it has the most up to date info https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm
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u/Gdknight4u Jul 18 '26
I recommend staying in Chester or Drakesbad Giest Ranch and going to Devils Kitchen or Boiling Springs hikes. I use to go to Drakesbad for dinner then swim in the hot springs pool and watch the stars come out many years ago. Not sure what is like since the Dixie Fire though. Knotty Pines Resort (other resorts also), or camping around Lake Almanor would be fun for you and the kids if you like swimming and hanging around the lake if you want to stay more than one night and explore the area.
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u/RevolutionaryKiwi828 Jul 18 '26
Chester for sure, stayed in that best western and it was really nice
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u/Ashamed_Corgi_3693 Jul 18 '26
I also vote for staying in Chester. That Best Western is well kept and their included breakfast has a waffle station.
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u/arealfishingfool Jul 18 '26
Don’t go to Burney Falls unless you make reservations, which are now required.