Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California draws hikers to two big names: Lassen Peak and the bubbling hydrothermal basin of Bumpass Hell. But there's a third summit that gets a fraction of the foot traffic and, on a clear day, arguably the finest view in the park. Brokeoff Mountain, at 9,235 feet, is a 7.2-mile round trip with about 2,560 feet of climbing, taking most hikers between 3.5 and 5 hours.
The trailhead sits on Highway 89, half a mile south of the park's southwest entrance, with a decent-sized parking lot marked "Brokeoff Mountain Trailhead" on Google Maps. The route begins in a mossy, forested grove where fallen logs and vivid green moss make the steady climb feel like a walk through a rainforest rather than an ascent toward an alpine summit. Around the 2.5-mile mark, the trees give out and the trail turns exposed, switching between dirt and rock as it climbs toward the peak.
At 3.3 miles there's a loosely marked split — take the right path. A few switchbacks later you're on top, where the payoff is a panorama that includes Lassen Peak itself, Mount Diller, and the surrounding wilderness. It's one of the only vantage points in the park where Lassen's distinctive silhouette lands squarely in the frame.
Timing matters here. Clouds routinely build over Lassen's peaks by early afternoon, so an early start is essential — ideally before 9:00 am. Even then there's no guarantee: one September hiking party set off at 7:45 am under a clear summit and arrived to zero visibility, the top completely fogged in. They still rated it among their favourite hikes in the park; the upper section, all mangled trees and drifting mist, has an atmosphere of its own. Pack a jacket and gloves regardless, since the exposed summit is windy and noticeably colder than the trailhead, and expect the altitude — breathing at 9,235 feet can feel a touch laboured.
The hiking season is short. Snow lingers on much of the park until late July, so the reliable window runs from late July through September. Check the National Park Service site for current trail conditions before you go, and note that signage at the trailhead flags mountain lion activity in the area.
Who is this hike for? Experienced hikers with at least three days in Lassen who want a quieter alternative to the park's headline trails. If you only have time for one hike, the consensus is still to do Lassen Peak first — at 10,457 feet it's the park's high point, and the summit views are just as strong. But with a spare day, Brokeoff delivers more varied scenery and far fewer people.
Beyond these two summits, Lassen rewards a longer stay. The short Bumpass Hell Trail threads through bubbling mud pots and fumaroles; Lake Helen makes a scenic picnic stop on Lassen Peak Highway; the remote Cinder Cone hike near Butte Lake feels like walking on another planet; and Manzanita Lake offers swimming and kayaking with the peak as a backdrop.
Story via Earth Trekkers.
