Epic Sunrise Hikes at Lassen Volcanic National Park

These two sunrise hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park were my favorite of our entire 10 Day California Road Trip. This is quite as statement as this trip also included 3 days in Yosemite National Park.

Our first sunrise hike was to Lassen Peak, the tallest volcano within Lassen Volcanic National Park at an elevation of 10,457ft. Our second sunrise hike was to the top of Cinder Cone, a 748-foot-high cone of loose scoria, about 10 miles northeast of Lassen Peak. 

Here are the hike stats, brief overviews, and colorful images from our hikes!

Lassen Peak Hike Stats

Trailhead: Lassen Peak Trailhead Parking Lot 40°28’27.6″N 121°30’20.1″W
Cost: $30 one-week Yosemite National Park Pass OR invest in the $80 America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass
Length: 4.9 miles out & back
Starting elevation: 8,500 feet 
Elevation gain: 1,975 feet 
Time: 3-4 hours
Official Website: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Our Sunrise Hike Experience to Lassen Peak

Our trek to the top of Lassen Peak started with a 3 a.m. alarm inside our Shingletown cabin. It was a 1 hour drive through the winding dark roads to the trailhead parking lot which we found absolutely vacant. It was just above freezing but a gorgeous cloudless sky above meant the magic of hiking under the stars. The trail was well defined and we slowly huffed up the mountain loose gravel switchbacks. 

As we rose in elevation, so did our excitement. The view is wide open and as our eyes adjusted we could make out the numerous lakes, mountains, and trees basking under the stars and, eventually, the pre-dawn light. The sunrise was gradual and glorious. One of my favorite moments on the trail was seeing the mountain shadow stretching out in the beautiful and somewhat baron landscape. 

Once at the top, we enjoyed the morning sun glow for a while before exploring the snow inside the crater along with a distant view of Mount Shasta. While a 2.5 mile hike doesn’t seem far, the elevation definitely wipes you out. Luckily there are many interesting informational signs along the way to stop and catch your breath at. I personally loved learning about previous eruptions that happened while hikers were present, as well as spotting the Clark Nutcracker birds and Raven’s Eye rock form. 

Note: This hike is highly exposed. Be sure to take precautions against the strong sun, wind, and dust that is usually prominent on this hike. 

Cinder Cone Hike Stats

Trailhead: Cinder Cone Trailhead (At the end of Butte Lake Road – 6 miles of gravel) 40°33’53.4″N 121°18’06.5″W
Cost: $30 one-week Yosemite National Park Pass OR invest in the $80 America the Beautiful National Park Annual Pass
Length: 4.7 miles out & back
Elevation gain: 1,050 feet 
Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
Official Website: Lassen Volcanic National Park

Our Cinder Cone Sunrise Hike Experience

The Cinder Cone sunrise hike was the perfect follow-up to the previous morning hike to Lassen Peak even if you have to endure a 6-mile washboard gravel road to get to the trailhead. Once again, we were the only car there and we arrived in pitch darkness. 

This trail is 100% different than Lassen Peak. The trail start out in a forest of giant pines with no undergrowth and a soft, sandy path beneath your feet. There were occasional trail marker posts to indicate we were on the wide path, but this trail is obviously a lot less popular. The auspicious feeling of hiking in pitch black through a forest that was eerily quiet was absolutely thrilling. Our own feet didn’t even make a sound.

The sky was just starting to get a pre-dawn glow when we reached the base of the cinder cone. It looked like something right out of a space movie. Climbing this otherworldly object was hands down one of my favorite experiences even though the pressure was on to make it to the top before sunrise. We are good uphill hikers, but this slick trail was a comical 1 step forward 1/2 slide back. 

From the top of the Cinder Cone, we could hardly catch our breath from the surrounding beauty. Butte Lake and the cinder cone interior looked mysterious from above in the pre-dawn light. Lassen Peak glowed on the distant horizon as the sun broke out. And then, as the sun came higher, we could appreciate the color in the surrounding Fantastic Lava Beds and Painted Dunes.

The hike down into the center of the cinder cone is just as eventful as the climb up. You have to dig your heals in with every controlled step. On the way out, the hike around the base of the cinder cone and back through the woods is nearly as magical as the way in. You’ll get to fully appreciate what you couldn’t see in the dark. 

Explore more of Lassen Volcanic National Park

After we made it back to the trailhead we sat and had a snack at the shores of Butte Lake, reflecting on this peaceful and underrated park. Other stops we made during our 2-day visit to Lassen Volcanic National Park included Bumpass Hell, Sulfur Works, Emerald Lake, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, and I highly recommend nabbing a picnic spot at Lake Helen.

Do you have questions about these hikes? Feel free to leave your questions and comments below.

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