Best of Lassen Volcanic Basecamp
Sacramento, CA
5.0 (4 reviews)Trip Highlights
- Summit Lassen Peak
- Volcanic Features
- Mountain Lakes
- Relaxing Basecamp
- Diversity of Hikes
- Fascinating Natural History
Description
Join Wildland Trekking for a 5 day, 4 night hiking and camping adventure as we explore all Lassen Volcanic National Park has to offer! Our Guides pick guests up at the designated hotel in Sacramento the first morning for transport to the Park. Over the following days we’ll explore the area on a series of memorable day hikes that showcase the wonders of this incredibly unique national park. Our hikes visit thermal features, mountain lakes, incredible views, lava beds, cinder cones, calderas and culminate with an ascent of the 10,463 ft Lassen Peak itself!
Lassen Volcanic National Park offers stunning mountain scenery plus amazing volcanic features – and minus the crowds of other California national parks. Come join us for a week of hiking and discovery you’ll remember forever!
$2440 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 2
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip follows maintained trails.
Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. The summit of Lassen Peak as well as Brokeoff Mountain have sections with significant heights exposure within 3 feet of the trail.
Hiking Distances:
4-7 mi
Backpack Weight:
8-12 lbs
Terrain:
Lightly Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2600 ft
Heights Exposure:
Significant
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 8-12 lb backpack for 6-8 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on lighly rugged terrain
- Hiking with occasional, significant heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Lassen Volcanic National Park trip a solitude 2. You can expect as much as an hour of solitude at a time.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
PRIVATE TRIPS
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
PRIVATE RATES FOR THIS TRIP
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4-5 People: Rate x 1.5
- 6-8 People: Rate x 1.25
- 9-12 People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Hiking Mileage: varies
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 300 feet
This trip begins with pick up at Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas for transportation to the Park by your Guide (You can also rendezvous at the Park if you prefer). We’ll have a quick meeting and breakfast, then set off toward Lassen National Park. Today’s outing takes us to Bumpass Hell, the largest and most popular hydrothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park known for its boiling mud pots and steaming pools. After exploring the wonders of this amazing area and sitting down for a great trail lunch, we will make our way toward Manzanita Lake and Campground, our home for the next four nights. We’ll get settled into camp and enjoy our first delicious, outdoor dinner prepared by your guide(s). After dinner many guests choose to enjoy a hike around the lake through the peaceful pine forests.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 7.4 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2600 feet
On day two we tackle what the rangers in Lassen regard as their favorite hike, Broke-off Mountain. Broke-off Mountain is a large remnant of a massive stratovolcano called Mount Tehama. The hike takes us through a beautiful riparian zone before going up to 9,200 ft, well above tree line. The views from the top are superb and include Lassen Peak, Mount Shasta and the ancient Tehama Caldera.
After our hike we’ll head back to camp for a dip in the lake, some relaxation and another hearty dinner prepared by your guide(s).
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1600 feet
Today is truly a highlight of the trip as we trek past the Fantastic Lava Beds and climb Cinder Cone. We will shuttle up to Butte Lake and begin our trek to the cone. Cinder Cone is a 700 ft high volcanic cone with a massive crater. Flows from the eruption formed the Fantastic Lava Beds, spectacular in their own right and visible along our trek. As we ascend to the top of the cone, we can see 360-degree views of Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, and the Painted Dunes, giving us a breathtaking backdrop for a delicious picnic lunch. Eventually we’ll head back to Butte Lake and to our camp for another relaxing evening.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 2000 feet
Today is the day we have been preparing for, the ascent of Lassen Peak. Lassen Peak is the second largest volcano in Northern California, and the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Mountain Range. It is still active today, making it even more special. The peak is visible from nearly every other hike we have done, so it only makes sense to have the pinnacle of the trip be on this peak, literally.
We will get an early start as we make our way up to the trailhead. The trail to the summit climbs rapidly in a short distance but is well worth the hard work. The 360 degree views from the top of the peak are remarkable. Here we will take in the views, eat another great trail lunch and eventually make our way back down to the trailhead.
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: 3.2 mi
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 750 feet
The last day of our tour is kicked off with another great breakfast in camp as we pack up our belongings and make our way to three stunning mountain lakes. Our hike begins with a soft descent toward Terrace Lake. A quick hike up to a saddle takes us above Terrace and down to Shadow lake. We will pause here to take in the view and eventually make our way toward the clear blue, Cliff Lake. Cliff Lake is nestled in a low basin below the towering Reading Peak, once taller and more majestic than Lassen Peak, Reading Peak has since been eroded by the power of wind and water. After lunch, we will make our way back to the trailhead and ultimately back to your destination in Sacramento. Your guide will drop you off at the airport or your hotel of choice.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Transportation for the duration of the tour originating and ending in Sacramento, CA
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What to Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the outdoors – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware sleeping bags
- Thermarest sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How Do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates in Sacramento, California at 7:00 AM on Day 1 at the Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas. We recommend staying at this hotel, as the group will depart directly from here and return to this hotel on Day 5. If you prefer, you can also rendezvous with your guide and group in Lassen Volcanic National Park at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitors center (near the southwest entrance station to Lassen Volcanic National Park) around 9:30 AM the morning the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the first day’s rendezvous.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Sacramento. We recommend staying in a hotel near the airport.
Start/End Times
The first day’s rendezvous time is 7:00 AM in Sacramento or 9:30 AM in Lassen Volcanic National Park, although the time could change depending on current weather and road conditions. We will be out of the backcountry normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Shifts
California guides work daily shifts from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. During off hours (9 p.m. to 5 a.m.) the guides’ time is their own, and they are free to sleep, rest, take personal time, postpone guest requests until the next morning, and any other legal, reasonable activity people engage in when not working. We ask all guests to respect the guides’ off-duty hours by not waking or asking anything of them unless there is a true emergency. Also, state law requires that employees receive an uninterrupted 10 minute break every four working hours, so guides are required to take four 10 minute breaks between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather on Mount Lassen
Being a high mountain environment, Mount Lassen is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in the mountains. On trips in June, snow is a possibility, and the rest of the summer rain is always a possibility on your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
AVERAGE TEMPERATURES (FAHRENHEIT)
| Month | Low | Hi |
|---|---|---|
| June | 79° | 34° |
| July | 84° | 40° |
| August | 85° | 40° |
| September | 78° | 36° |
| October | 69° | 30° |
Accommodations
National Park Campground
4 NIGHTS
This basecamp tour stays at a national park campground near the shores of Manzanita Lake with views of the high country. It has coin-operated showers that are included with the tour.
Fantastic Meals
14 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
Comfortable Camping
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Reviews
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Crystal R
The best trip!
I LOVED everything about this trip! Rafi was an excellent guide! She paced our group perfectly for abilities and we all made it to the mountain tops! I knew the elevation gains would cause me to be slower but I hadn’t paid much attention of the overall elevation of the area & or the trails we were going to do, so the progression of trails was perfect to get acclimated. I was able to summit my highest elevation ever & it has me thinking that there’s a lot more summits in my future. Guide, food, campground and trail choices were all top notch, I will definitely adventure with Wildland Trekking again!
Karin C
Excellent!
Do not hesitate to use Wildland for your next adventure. Everything is well planned out but also flexible enough to meet your needs.
Susan E
Fantastic Experience!
Wildland Trekking is fantastic. We visited Lassen with Wildland Trekking and had a great experience! We're already planning our next trip with Wildland Trekking.
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