Oversnow Route Conditions

Season for Winter/Spring Oversnow Routes: November - May

Last updated: 4/26/2026

You may need to reload page to see updates. Periodically updated starting in November as trails become snow-covered. View current snow depths

View the summer trail conditions page from May through October.

NOTICE: Snow accumulates on the Lassen National Park Highway throughout the snow season (November - April) necessitating the closure of the road to vehicles. The closure and accumulated snow allows for snow-related recreation such as snowshoing or skiing. This equipment is necessary to explore beyond the main entrances and until the road re-opens to vehicles.

Learn more about spring road clearing operations which affect portions of the highway route.

When selecting a route, please consider:

• Snow-covered roads and trails in the park are considered winter routes and require snowshoes or skis to enjoy safely. View maps and details of winter routes in the Southwest Area or Manzanita Lake Area.
• All trails in the park are covered with snow from approximately November - April/May each year. The park does not clear snow on hiking trails.
• There are no groomed or marked routes.
• Many oversnow routes do not follow summer trails exactly; some summer trails are not recommended as oversnow routes.
• Pets are not permitted on snow-covered routes or on the snow-covered park road. Leashed pets are permitted in parking areas. Pets are permitted on cleared sections of the park road. As a rule of thumb, Paws on Pavement.
• Spring snow clearing operations affects portions of the highway route. Visitors can walk or bike sections of the highway once they are cleared of snow and before they are open to vehicles. Usually beginning in March or April.
• Oversnow travel involves risk. Learn more about winter safety including avalanche safety, recreating in a remote area, and route selection. Your saftey is your responsibility.
• Bumpass Hell Trail is closed thorughout the snowy season. Remote location, steep drop-offs, cornices, difficult access, avalanche terrain, hidden hazards beneath the snow make this trail unsitable for oversnow travel. This trail typically opens for hiking in June or July.

 

Refresh Page to View Current Data

Press to refresh/reload this page to ensure that you are viewing the most current data. Many browsers will cache data from web pages you have viewed before, and therefore displaying out-of-date information.

Note that all snow-covered routes require navigation and route-finding skills. As hard-packed dirt trails are not visible when underneath several feet of snow.

Oversnow Route	Miles (RT)	Difficulty	Condition
Southwest Area Winter Routes | Elevations range from 6,700 feet to 10,457 feet
*Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Varies	No longer a winter route to the Lassen Peak area. (~6 miles). Snow cleaing opeartions begin in April. View the alerts and condtions page for road status. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), Sections of the route pass through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended.
Sulphur Works (via Hwy Route)	2.0	Beginner (most popular route)	No snow. Winter snowpack has been cleared. The following applies when the highway route to Sulphur Works is snow-covered: Accumulated snow warrants the need to use skis or snowshoes to reach Sulphur Works. At times, a packed down surface may make it passable without winter equipment. Due to continually changing conditons of the snow, it is advisable to use snowshoes, skis or boot spikes.
Lassen Peak (via Hwy. route)	17.0+	Advanced	Reaching Lassen Peak requires around 15+ miles of travel round trip starting from the southwest park entrance following the road route. Winter snowpack has been cleared from the road to Lassen Peak trailhead. On Lassen Peak route, snowshoes/ski, boot crampons, and ice axe may be necessary. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), the route passes through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended. Protect the Lassen Peak Trail; do not cut switchbacks once trail is visible.
Ridge Lakes (via Hwy. route)	4.0	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Winter snowpack has been cleared from the road to Ridge Lakes trailhead. On Ridge Lakes route, the use of snowshoes or skis is necessary. Skiing is advanced.
Forest Lake	2.4	Intermediate	Snow-covered. Runoff from snowmelt is creating snow bridges and wet crossings. The use of snowshoes is necessary. Boot spikes may be sufficient. Skiing is not advised. In deep snow (over 2 feet), route-finding is necessary.
Brokeoff Mountain	7.0	Advanced	Snow-covered. To Forest Lake, snow bridges and wet crossings are likley. Exposed areas above Forest Lake may have sections of bare ground. Likely deep snow drifts and icy areas to the summit may require snowshoes or crampons. Some areas may suffice for the use of boot spikes. Once snow covers the route, snow traversing equipment is necessary. Snowshoes, ice-axe and crampons. Skiing is advanced. Snow depths and conditions vary significantly due to exposed slopes and wind-blown snow. Route-finding is necessary. Throughout the snowy season (Nov. - April), the route passes through avalanche terrain. Be avalanche aware. Avalanche gear is highly recommended.
Bumpass Hell - Closed			NOT A WINTER ROUTE. Trail is closed in winter and spring. This trail is closed every winter/spring until free of snow/ice hazards. Trail typically re-opens in June or July. See trail opening dates from previous years, which are largely affected by snowpack. See summer trail conditions page for more information.
*Mill Creek Falls	4.0	Intermediate	Mostly snow-covered. Once substantial snow covers the route (over 2 feet), route-finding is necessary. *Due to footbridge crossings and narrow sideslopes, this is not an advisable winter route with substanial snow cover. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
McGowan Cross-Country Ski Area Lassen National Forest	Varies	Varies	Moslty free of snow. Check website for more information. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
Manzanita Lake Area Winter Routes | Elevation range:5,600 feet - 8,530 feet
*Park Highway Route (main park road)	Varies	Intermediate	No longer a winter route to Summit Lake. The road to Devastated Area (10 miles) is open to vehicles. The road is cleared to Summit Lake from Devastated Area (3 miles) and passable on foot or bicycle. Winter snowpack is present on the road beyond Summit Lake. Snow clearing opearations began March 9. View the alerts and condtions page for road status.
Reflection Lake Loop	0.5	Beginner	No snow. With sufficient snow coverage of at least 1 foot, snowshoes or skis are advised. With sufficient snow coverage, sections of the route may be icy or have little to no snow. Do not walk on lake ice.
Manzanita Lake Campground Loop	1.8	Beginner	No snow. With sufficient snow coverage of at least 1 foot, snowshoes or skis are advised.
Manzanita Lake Loop	1.8	Beginner	No snow. With sufficient snow coverage of at least 1 foot, snowshoes or skis are advised. With sufficient snow coverage, sections of the route may be icy or have little to no snow. Do not walk on lake ice.
Chaos Crags Route	4.0	Intermediate	No snow. The Lake is partially full and free of snow and ice. With substantial snow-coverage, (over 2 feet) route-finding may be necessary.
Nobles Emigrant Route	5.2	Intermediate	No snow. Passes through heavily forested areas. Conditions vary. Throughout winter, Snow depth may be marginal or icy in some sections.
Manzanita Creek	7.5	Intermediate	Moslty free of snow. Upper third of the trail is likley snow-covered. Snowshoes may be necessary on deeper snowy sections. With substantial snow coverage (over 2 feet), route-finding may be necessary.
Butte Lake Area | Elevation range: 6,100 feet - 8,338 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Butte Lake Road	6.0	Beginner	No snow. Not winter maintained. Vehicles travel at your own risk.
Warner Valley Area | Elevation range: 5,600 feet - 7,408 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Warner Valley Road	6.0	Beginner	No snow. The road is closed to vehicle traffic but reamins open to pedestrian travel. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.
Juniper Lake Area | Elevation range: 6,700 feet - 8,048 feet. Road closed to vehicle access during the snow season.
Juniper Lake Road	4.0	Intermediate	No snow. The road is closed to vehicle traffic but remains open to pedestrian travel. Be aware of burn hazards such as standing dead trees.

 

Not Recommended for Oversnow Travel

Some summer trails are not recommended for oversnow travel due to hazards including terrain, avalanche danger, and hydrothermal hazards.

• Mill Creek Falls Trail: Due to hazards created from the Dixie Fire, difficulty navigating with snow on the ground, this trail is not advised in the winter. Sections of the trail cross a steep slope above Mill Creek and are not ideal for oversnow travel. Burned Area Safety - Lassen Volcanic National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
• Bumpass Hell Hydrothermal Area: In addition to requiring nearly 7 miles of one-way travel on the highway route, the summer trail traverses steep slopes above Little Hot Springs Valley which is not safe for oversnow travel. Bumpass Hell Trail remains CLOSED until the trail is snow-free due to these snow/ice hazards.