• Distance: ~10 miles RT
• Elevation range: 6700′ to 8500′
• Wilderness permits: self-serve at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

I’ve lost track of my many winter attempts to reach the summit of Lassen Peak.  For one reason or another, I had to turn around on the way to the peak.  I was hoping this year would be different.  The weather forecast for the weekend called for clear skies, no snow, no rain, and moderate winds.  It had snowed the previous week, so there was a potential for avalanches.  In addition to the slopes of Lassen Peak itself, there is a section of road below the east face of Diamond Peak which is potentially dangerous.  This can be avoided by climbing cross-country on the west side of Diamond Peak.

I drove up early on Saturday morning to meet my climbing partner Jane.  We’d been together on a trip to Dewey Point couple of months before, and she was excited about Lassen Peak.  There was a ton of snow around the Kohm Yah-Mah-nee Visitor Center.  The center itself was covered in snow, and skis or snowshoes were definitely needed.  I brought my skis since I needed the practice.  She brought her snowshoes.

Access to Lake Helen and Lassen Peak is via Hwy 89.  This is the same road that cross the park and which one can drive on during the the summer.  During the winter, the road is closed at the visitor center, and is used to access the park on skis or snowshoes.  Although not marked, it is easy to follow.

The Lassen area used to be covered with volcanoes.  There are many areas where one can see boiling mudpots, roaring fumaroles, and steam rising from vents in the ground.  When the snow has melted, there is access to a maintained trail which visitors can use to see these features up close.  In winter though, it’s covered over with snow though.  Don’t go looking for it, you may end up falling through the snow into a boiling pot.

About a mile in, Jane expressed that she was overly exhausted, and probably wasn’t going to make it to Lake Helen.  We discussed the situation and options for a while, and she decided to head back to the car.  Normally, we would have stayed together, and I would have gone back with her.  But she insisted that it was a mile in, the road was easily visible, we could see the visitor center from where we were sitting, there were other people coming and going, and she would do well on her own.  I made sure she ate some food, drank some water, and saw her take off.  I waited until I saw her reach the visitor center, assured that she was okay, and then I continued on to Lake Helen.

At Lake Helen, I saw a helicopter and people milling around near the lake.  I thought that maybe they were attending to a rescue call, but they didn’t look like emergency personnel.  I wondered what they were up to and walked over to talk to them.  They were from a water agency (I forget the name) measuring the depth of the snowpack.  They had removed a core about 15′ thick.  It seemed like a lot of snow for so early in the season.

I continued on my way to my destination above Lake Helen, to what normally would be the trailhead parking lot in the summer.  But this time of the year, it’s covered in snow.  I figured the shorter the distance I needed to hike in the morning to the summit, it would be easier for me.  I dug out a hole in the snow to place my sleeping gear and protect myself from the wind.  The winds, if they picked up, could be pretty strong.  Once, the howling winds broke one of my tent poles collapsing my tent.

I took some pictures, melted snow for water, cooked dinner, and prepared my gear for the next morning.  I was eager to get to the summit, but I was also concerned about the potential avalanche risk.  I didn’t see anybody else out here either.

I woke up at 0500, packed my gear, and started skiing up the slopes towards Lassen Peak.  It was still pitch black, freezing biting cold, but there was no wind, and no cloud cover.  The day was going to be great.  But, after an hour of moving, I became concerned because of the terrain.  Somewhat disappointed, I turned back towards camp.  I would have to come back another time.

I took a nap and rested for a bit before fixing breakfast and packing up my gear.  Then, I headed back the way I came to my car.  I didn’t see anyone else heading towards the summit.  The day remained clear and sunny without precipitation as had been forecasted.  Along the way, I took a break to enjoy the solitude, peace, and songs of the few birds flying from tree to tree.  It was still a great weekend spent outdoors clearing my mind for the coming workweek.