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Trail Description - Excerpted from Backcountry Adventures Northern California. by Peter Massey and Jeanne Wilson.
Buy this book if you plan to do any exploring in Northern California. It's terrific! Northern Sierra Route #39 - Antelope Mountain and Crater Lake Trail Total Mileage: 15.6 miles plus a 3.8 mile spur to Antelope Mountain Fire Lookout and a 4.8 mile spur to Crater Lake Driving Time: 3 hours Elevation Range: 5300-7600 ft. Difficulty Rating: 1 Scenic Rating: 9 Special Attractions:
Eagle Lake
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Description
Eagle Lake and Honey Lake are part of the basin and range province of the Great Basin. Both Eagle and Honey Lakes are remnants of an ancient glacial lake called Lake Lahontan. Eagle Lake, the second largest natural lake in the state, has no natural outlet, and is well known for having excellent angling opportunities, mainly for Eagle Lake Trout.
<snip>
Bird watchers at Eagle Lake may see some of the 95 species known to be in the lake’s vicinity, including bald eagles, golden eagles, pelicans, and ospreys. Hunting for mule deer and waterfowl (in season) are also popular activities around the lake.
The trail begins just west of Eagle Lake and travels through Lassen National Forest along a graded road toward Antelope Mountain Fire Lookout. A spur heads south to the modern lookout, which is manned during fire season; visitors are normally welcome to climb up to the tower with permission from the lookout on duty. Views from the top include eagle Lake to the east, volcanic Lassen Peak to the west, and the open area of Pine Creek Valley to the southwest. Whaleback Mountain and Logan Mountain are to the north, with Antelope Valley beyond them. On a clear day, the snow-covered peak of Mount Shasta can be seen way off to the northwest.
Back on the main trail, the road swiftly descends to cross the Pine Creek Valley. The valley previously had a large Indian population, with many villages and campsites in this fertile hunting and fishing ground. Today, the trail winds around the edge of the valley and passes many backcountry campsites tucked into the trees. Part of the trail follows an old lumber railroad grade, long since abandoned, put in to carry felled trees to mill.
A second spur from the main trail leads 4.8 miles to Crater Lake, which is set in a volcanic crater. The lake has a pretty, developed USFS campground by the shore with scattered firs and aspens providing shade; a fee is charged. A small boat ramp allows you to get out onto the lake in small motorboats or rowboats. The main trail ends on California 44, a short distance south of Bogard Work Station and 28 miles northeast of Susanville. Bogard was an important rest stop for travelers along the Lassen and Nobles Trails, which crossed this route a short distance from the national scenic byway of California 44.
The Bogard snowmobile area at the end of the trail has 80 miles of groomed, designated snowmobile trails along forest roads, all rated easy.
Eagle Lake and Honey Lake are part of the basin and range province of the Great Basin. Both Eagle and Honey Lakes are remnants of an ancient glacial lake called Lake Lahontan. Eagle Lake, the second largest natural lake in the state, has no natural outlet, and is well known for having excellent angling opportunities, mainly for Eagle Lake Trout.
<snip>
Bird watchers at Eagle Lake may see some of the 95 species known to be in the lake’s vicinity, including bald eagles, golden eagles, pelicans, and ospreys. Hunting for mule deer and waterfowl (in season) are also popular activities around the lake.
The trail begins just west of Eagle Lake and travels through Lassen National Forest along a graded road toward Antelope Mountain Fire Lookout. A spur heads south to the modern lookout, which is manned during fire season; visitors are normally welcome to climb up to the tower with permission from the lookout on duty. Views from the top include eagle Lake to the east, volcanic Lassen Peak to the west, and the open area of Pine Creek Valley to the southwest. Whaleback Mountain and Logan Mountain are to the north, with Antelope Valley beyond them. On a clear day, the snow-covered peak of Mount Shasta can be seen way off to the northwest.
Back on the main trail, the road swiftly descends to cross the Pine Creek Valley. The valley previously had a large Indian population, with many villages and campsites in this fertile hunting and fishing ground. Today, the trail winds around the edge of the valley and passes many backcountry campsites tucked into the trees. Part of the trail follows an old lumber railroad grade, long since abandoned, put in to carry felled trees to mill.
A second spur from the main trail leads 4.8 miles to Crater Lake, which is set in a volcanic crater. The lake has a pretty, developed USFS campground by the shore with scattered firs and aspens providing shade; a fee is charged. A small boat ramp allows you to get out onto the lake in small motorboats or rowboats. The main trail ends on California 44, a short distance south of Bogard Work Station and 28 miles northeast of Susanville. Bogard was an important rest stop for travelers along the Lassen and Nobles Trails, which crossed this route a short distance from the national scenic byway of California 44.
The Bogard snowmobile area at the end of the trail has 80 miles of groomed, designated snowmobile trails along forest roads, all rated easy.
Northern Sierra Route #40 - Susan River to Juniper Lake Trail
Total Mileage: 35.7 miles, plus 5.6 mile spur to Juniper Lake
Driving Time: 5 hours
Elevation Range: 5,000 to 7,000 ft.
Difficulty Rating: 2
Scenic Rating: 9
Special Attractions:
History
This route passes Mount Harkness (8,045 ft.) in Lassen Volcanic National Park near the end of the trail. The summit is approximately 1300 ft. above picturesque Juniper Lake, and the climb to it is an enjoyable hike, with the added attraction of visiting an historic lookout. The cone-shaped mountain was chosen as a fire lookout site back in 1930.
<snip>
Like many others, this lookout tower dropped out of regular service in the late 1970s when aerial surveillance compensated for the reduced number of lookouts, though many forestry officials were unhappy with such coverage. The National Forest Services and the National Park Service reintroduced fire spotters at the aging tower for a period in the late 1980s.
Description
Susan River to Juniper Lake Trail is a pleasant drive through Lassen National Forest. Along the way, it passes small lakes, shady campgrounds, and beautiful forest scenery to finish in the southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Although much of the trail is suitable for passenger vehicles, some rough spots require high-clearance.
The trail leaves CR A-21 south of California 44 and follows the good graded road to Silver Lake. Two developed camp grounds are set among the trees, back from the lake’s edge; the Silver Beach Picnic Area and a small boat launch are set directly on the water’s edge. Much of Silver Lake’s shoreline is taken up by vacation homes.
Past Silver Lake, the trail passes above small Betty Lake, visible below the trail, and then alongside Shotoverin Lake. Later, Echo Lake and the small, but heavily used campground beside it can be found a short distance north of the main trail.
Past Echo Lake, the trail turns off FR10 and travels to Hay Meadow and a hiding trailhead into the Caribou Wilderness. From here, hikers and equestrians can reach many of the small mountain lakes within the wilderness, including Evelyn, Lng, and Triangle Lakes. Some pleasant, walk-in backcountry campsites are near the trailhead around the edge of Hay Meadow.
The vehicle trail travels along roads established primarily for logging, following a loop out of Lassen National Forest into Pacific Gas & Electric owned forest and then back into Lassen National Forest. Camping is prohibited in PG&E forest except at designated campgrounds. Back in the national forest, the trail travels along Last Chance Creek, which drains south to Lake Almanor – visible from several points along the trail. Last Chance Creek is fed by four springs, so it has good flow throughout the summer.
A worthwhile spur leads 4.8 miles north to Juniper Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park. From here, several hiking trails penetrate farther into the park, taking hikers to destinations such as Cameron Meadows, Snag Lake, Cinder Cone, and Horseshoe Lake. A very pleasant developed campground can be found on the south side of the lake with views across the water to Lassen Peak. The hiking grail to Mount Harnkess starts at the campground and climbs 1.9 miles to the old fire lookout at the peak. The lookout’s cabin is currently being restored by the National Park Service. Allow three hours for the round-trip hike.
From Silver Lake to Last Chance Creek, the trail is a groomed snowmobile route in winter. It is part of the system of groomed trails accessed from the Bogard Staging Area.
Total Mileage: 35.7 miles, plus 5.6 mile spur to Juniper Lake
Driving Time: 5 hours
Elevation Range: 5,000 to 7,000 ft.
Difficulty Rating: 2
Scenic Rating: 9
Special Attractions:
- Fishing and camping at Silver, Echo, and Juniper Lakes
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Hiking access to the Caribou Wilderness and trails within Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Long, meandering forest trail for vehicles, mountain bikes, and horses in summer and snowmobiles in winter.
History
This route passes Mount Harkness (8,045 ft.) in Lassen Volcanic National Park near the end of the trail. The summit is approximately 1300 ft. above picturesque Juniper Lake, and the climb to it is an enjoyable hike, with the added attraction of visiting an historic lookout. The cone-shaped mountain was chosen as a fire lookout site back in 1930.
<snip>
Like many others, this lookout tower dropped out of regular service in the late 1970s when aerial surveillance compensated for the reduced number of lookouts, though many forestry officials were unhappy with such coverage. The National Forest Services and the National Park Service reintroduced fire spotters at the aging tower for a period in the late 1980s.
Description
Susan River to Juniper Lake Trail is a pleasant drive through Lassen National Forest. Along the way, it passes small lakes, shady campgrounds, and beautiful forest scenery to finish in the southeast corner of Lassen Volcanic National Park. Although much of the trail is suitable for passenger vehicles, some rough spots require high-clearance.
The trail leaves CR A-21 south of California 44 and follows the good graded road to Silver Lake. Two developed camp grounds are set among the trees, back from the lake’s edge; the Silver Beach Picnic Area and a small boat launch are set directly on the water’s edge. Much of Silver Lake’s shoreline is taken up by vacation homes.
Past Silver Lake, the trail passes above small Betty Lake, visible below the trail, and then alongside Shotoverin Lake. Later, Echo Lake and the small, but heavily used campground beside it can be found a short distance north of the main trail.
Past Echo Lake, the trail turns off FR10 and travels to Hay Meadow and a hiding trailhead into the Caribou Wilderness. From here, hikers and equestrians can reach many of the small mountain lakes within the wilderness, including Evelyn, Lng, and Triangle Lakes. Some pleasant, walk-in backcountry campsites are near the trailhead around the edge of Hay Meadow.
The vehicle trail travels along roads established primarily for logging, following a loop out of Lassen National Forest into Pacific Gas & Electric owned forest and then back into Lassen National Forest. Camping is prohibited in PG&E forest except at designated campgrounds. Back in the national forest, the trail travels along Last Chance Creek, which drains south to Lake Almanor – visible from several points along the trail. Last Chance Creek is fed by four springs, so it has good flow throughout the summer.
A worthwhile spur leads 4.8 miles north to Juniper Lake in Lassen Volcanic National Park. From here, several hiking trails penetrate farther into the park, taking hikers to destinations such as Cameron Meadows, Snag Lake, Cinder Cone, and Horseshoe Lake. A very pleasant developed campground can be found on the south side of the lake with views across the water to Lassen Peak. The hiking grail to Mount Harnkess starts at the campground and climbs 1.9 miles to the old fire lookout at the peak. The lookout’s cabin is currently being restored by the National Park Service. Allow three hours for the round-trip hike.
From Silver Lake to Last Chance Creek, the trail is a groomed snowmobile route in winter. It is part of the system of groomed trails accessed from the Bogard Staging Area.
Juniper Lake