Distance: 2 miles RT
Elevation gain: ~1k ft climb ( ~7k to 8k ft)
Difficulty: Moderate+, depending on your fitness level and sensitivity to altitude
As you drive and hike around Lassen Volcanic National Park, one of the first things you’ll notice is the extensive devastation from the Dixie Wildfire that occurred in 2021 and burned 73,240 acres of the park in 3 months (August through October)—the largest fire in the park’s history and the largest single fire in California history (963,309 acres). While Nature’s resilience is on display in terms of seedlings and new growth, it’s clear four years later that full recovery will take many decades.
It’s hard to imagine what the park once looked like, but fortunately, a few untouched areas still offer us a glimpse into its former splendor. The Ridge Lakes Trail is one of them. This short (2 miles), steep (1k in 1 mile) hike is an idyllic little slice of paradise and a window into what Lassen Volcanic National Park must have been like before the fire.
This was my morning “warm-up” hike before tackling Lassen Peak (post to come). The lovely single-track trail winds up through ferns, grasses, and wildflowers (Indian Paintbrush, Lupine) to two (it seems more like 1, as they’re connected) small alpine lakes cradled in a pristine basin with Brokeoff Mountain and Mount Diller as the scenic backdrop.
I had the hike all to myself (except for a Doe and her fawn), and as you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed my photo safari here. If you’re heading to Lassen Volcanic National Park, I’d put this one on your short list (pun intended).
Getting there: The trailhead is at the Sulphur Works parking area (1.1 miles past the southwest entrance).
Happy Trails!
On the Loose Live 