Chaos Crags, Lassen National Park CA

• 3-star hike
• 4 mile out-and-back
• Easy | Gain 910 ft | Peak 6,700 ft
• Mineral, CA | Lassen Region
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The image portrays a striking mountain landscape with a rocky foreground. It features steep, jagged peaks in the background, with slopes covered in loose rocks and sparse vegetation. The foreground is filled with large boulders and rocks, while several tall pine trees are scattered throughout the scene. The clear blue sky suggests a bright, sunny day.

The image portrays a striking mountain landscape with a rocky foreground. It features steep, jagged peaks in the background, with slopes covered in loose rocks and sparse vegetation. The foreground is filled with large boulders and rocks, while several tall pine trees are scattered throughout the scene. The clear blue sky suggests a bright, sunny day.

Foreground boulders, once part of the distant mountain.

In geological terms the landscape of Lassen Volcanic National Park is about as young as it gets, and for an example you need look no further than Chaos Crags, a mountain of pink dacite that sprouted from the earth only a thousand years ago.

Even more recent was the Chaos Jumbles rockslide - a massive carpet of rock which separated from the mountain and careened down its flanks at speeds over 100mph, devastating the forest below and only coming to rest after spilling up the side of Table Mountain a whole two miles away. The rockside also blocked a local creek, creating what is known today as Manzanita Lake which is where this hike begins.

The hiking trail winds its way through a surviving section of evergreen forest running parallel to the jumbles. The trees thin out gradually as you ascend the mountain, giving way to views of the craggy rock face.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 3★ Chaos Crags Trail 3.6 mi out & back, easy, gain 910 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions GPX?

Your destination on this trail is Chaos Crags Lake, though if you're tackling this trail in the summer months a better name would likely be Chaos Crags Puddle. Snowmelt that collects in this crater resulting from the landslide can even evaporate entirely by late summer, so if you're expecting a cooling dip you'll probably want to save yourself for the return to the Manzanita Lake trailhead.

Snow covers the Lassen landscape for much of the year and some roads and trails may not be open - even in summer. Check the links below to find updated information on road closures, trail closures and campground status.

The image shows a scenic mountain landscape with a mix of evergreen trees and patches of snow on the mountain slopes. The sky is partly cloudy with blue patches visible. The foreground features a trail winding through the forested area, leading towards the rocky mountain in the background.

The image shows a scenic mountain landscape with a mix of evergreen trees and patches of snow on the mountain slopes. The sky is partly cloudy with blue patches visible. The foreground features a trail winding through the forested area, leading towards the rocky mountain in the background.

Hiking up the Chaos Crags Trail.

Tangents:
• Official: Lassen Volcanic NP
• AllTrails Public: Chaos Crags
• Facebook Group: Comment, Follow Us

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