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Climb up a volcanic crater to navigate its rim and scramble down inside!


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Map Key

2.0

Miles

3.3

KM

Point to Point

6,851' 2,088 m

High

6,291' 1,917 m

Low

659' 201 m

Up

394' 120 m

Down

10%

Avg Grade (6°)

51%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers

Description

Pass the main access to the cinder cone (Cinder Cone Trail N. Access). A short time later, turn left onto the trail that seems to circle the cinder cone.

Hike around the cinder cone, then turn left up its eastern/southeastern flank. The trail is steep, cinder, and less maintained than the trail up the northwestern flank.

Once on the rim, hike along the outer rim (0.6 miles) for outstanding views of Mt. Lassen and the surrounding colorful cinder fields. Or, hike around the inner rim (0.5 miles) for an in-crater experience without needing the stamina required to reach the bottom.

There is also a trail to the bottom of the crater (0.1 miles one way), but be prepared to hike back up the very steep trail!

Contacts

Shared By:

Anne Travels with improvements by Joan Pendleton

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 18 votes

#1

in Butte Lake

#248

Overall
  4.8 from 18 votes
5 Star
78%
4 Star
22%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Butte Lake

#25

in California

#248

Overall
5 Views Last Month
1,632 Since Feb 11, 2016
Difficult Difficult

0%
5%
18%
0%
73%
5%

Photos

Lassen Peak behind Painted Dunes
Jun 27, 2020 near Chester, CA
Painted Dunes and Lassen Peak
Jun 27, 2020 near Chester, CA
Lassen Peak across the Cinder Cone crater
Jun 27, 2020 near Chester, CA
Approaching the Painted Dunes (center) from the north on Butte Lake to Snag Lake Trail (West).  Mount Harkness (center left), 8,046 ft., is in the far distance to the south.
Jun 29, 2021 near Chester, CA
Butte Lake from the rim of Cinder Cone
Jun 27, 2020 near Chester, CA
Inside the Cinder Cone crater
Apr 3, 2020 near Chester, CA

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 91 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 3, 2023
Cevat Akin
Jul 17, 2023
Tom Herr
Rough hike climbing lava scree. This hike goes around back and was easier than going straight up. Beautiful views and well worth it. 4.2mi
Jun 24, 2021
Joan Pendleton
May 17, 2021
Whitney Corrine
Oct 3, 2020
Trevor Moore
Jun 6, 2020
David Hitchcock
Wonderful hike.
Sep 22, 2019
Jeff L
Sep 2, 2019
Matt Qubit
Fun hike, very unique
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