Brokeoff Mountain
Photos Maps Summary: This is a nice hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park to the top of the park's second highest and Tehama County's highest peak. Some small snow drifts can last well into the summer, but the trail should be hike-able come June on an average year. The top of the mountain is flat and no bigger than a room in a house. The views from the summit are most interesting to the northwest (Mt Shasta on a clear day) and to the southeast (Lake Almanor). The Coast Range can be seen on clear days to the west, but the view is dominated by Lassen Peak to the northeast. Keep a close eye on your food and backpack straps while you're enjoying the views from the summit because there is a mischievous ground squirrel who is relentless. Distance: 6.9 miles round-tripElevation Gain/Loss: 2,600' totalSeason: June through OctoberFees & Permits: None (other than the entry fee for the park)Finding the Trailhead: 40.43092 N, 121.53630 W (Brokeoff Mountain Trailhead). From the CA-36/89 intersection northwest of Chester, follow CA-89 north for ~4.9 miles to the trailhead parking lot off the eastern side of the highway (~0.7 miles north of the southern entrance sign). The trail begins off the western side of the highway.
The Hike: Since the pay station for the park is ~1/2 mile north of this trailhead you'll need to self pay at the trailhead or drive north to the pay station, pay, and come back to the trailhead. Cross the highway in the cross-walk and find the trailhead board just a little ways west of the highway. The first section of the trail is lush because of the creek and springs that come down the side of the hill. When we were here, the Bleeding Hearts, Fawn Lilies, and Stickseeds were in full bloom. After climbing through this section, the trail turns sharply to the right and climbs directly up the hill. At ~0.3 miles it crosses the first of three springs within ~1/4 mile. After this, the trail passes through the sparse forest before coming to a small pond in an opening. The trail continues to climb and pass in and out of the trees before crossing the creek again at ~1.2 miles (a little ways south of Forest Lake). It then climbs steeply and comes to a nice view of the creek as it cascades down the hill. At ~1.4 miles the trail crosses the creek again and then begins the steepest section of the trail as it heads north. At this crossing, we found a plethora of Marsh Marigolds. This climb is exposed and you get to look up at all the elevation gain you still have left with Brokeoff Mountain looming above. However, there is a nice view looking back down into the Mill Creek Canyon. The trail then traverses to the west and southwest before starting a few switchbacks. In the middle of these switchbacks is a good view of Lassen Peak to the northeast. The south-protruding last switchback in this series is reached at ~2.3 miles. The USGS topo map shows a trail junction at ~2.5 miles, but I could not locate this trail when we were there so I'm not sure if it actually exists. If it does, it would be a very steep climb to meet the Brokeoff Mountain Trail. The trail now begins its long climb to the last switchback at ~3.05 miles. The trail has now briefly passed into Shasta County before reentering Tehama County just below the summit. Just after passing back into Tehama County, the trail reaches an excellent viewpoint of Lassen Peak between the summit of Brokeoff Mountain and the peak to the west. The summit is reached at ~3.45 miles. Conditions on the summit can change very quickly so be prepared. Bring a windbreaker and/or raincoat. We spent a comfortable hour on the summit before the winds picked up and dropped the temperature quickly.
