Rating:
Area: Lassen
Distance: 7 miles
Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty: Medium
Elevation gain: 2,600ft (from 6,600 - 9,235ft)

Part of our Lassen Volcano Country special feature. Some Lassen hikes are often closed due to winter weather, so check out the conditions before you go by following the above link.

Heading up to Lassen Volcanic National Park with a mind to hiking a mountain, most people would choose Lassen Peak, and for good reason. Not only do you get the bragging rights of climbing the highest and most visible mountain in the park, but you also get bonus points for hiking to the top of an active volcano.

It's just that we think that Brokeoff Mountain is an even better hike.

At 9,235ft Brokeoff Mountain is the largest remnant of Mt. Tehama, an older and larger volcano which has eroded away over the past half-million years by ice ages and volcanic forces. Climbing to the summit takes you to the second highest point in the park and provides great views over many other summits, including Lassen Peak itself.

About half of the trail's 3½ mile journey to the summit takes a gently inclining route along the side of a mountain creek surrounded by lush vegetation and pine trees, which can also offer plenty of welcome shade from summer sunshine. At about the half-way mark the trail picks up more elevation and heads up to a saddle before switchbacking up the South face of the mountain to the summit.



Trailspotting Nearby:
- Lassen Peak (4 stars, 3 miles, medium)
- Subway Caves (4 stars, <1 mile, easy)
- Chaos Craggs (3 stars, 3½ miles, easy)

Tangents:
- NPS website: Hiking Brokeoff Mountain
- NPS website: Online maps for download
- Buy "75 Hikes in Lassen & Mt. Shasta Regions" by John Soares
- Buy Wilderness Press' Lassen Topo Map