Bumpass Hell Trail
The trail crosses volcanic slopes and snow-prone ridges before descending to boiling pools, steam vents, sulfur, and acidic ground.
Artwork inspired by Corita Kent
The trail crosses volcanic slopes and snow-prone ridges before descending to boiling pools, steam vents, sulfur, and acidic ground. Boardwalks are safety infrastructure, not scenic suggestions. Three anchors prevent a superficial visit: distance is About 3 miles round trip, elevation is 8,000+ feet, and hazard is Thin thermal crust.
Check snow opening and thunderstorms, then stay on the boardwalk and compare vent sound, color, and mineral deposition from fixed viewpoints. The route often opens late, exposed slopes hold snow, and leaving the boardwalk can break through thin crust into scalding water. The productive comparison is between hydrothermal basin and boardwalk, with Brokeoff view supplying the evidence that changes how the whole place reads.
- Distance
- About 3 miles round trip
- Elevation
- 8,000+ feet
- Hazard
- Thin thermal crust
Quick guide
- Orient from
- Check snow opening and thunderstorms, then stay on the boardwalk and compare vent sound, color, and mineral deposition from fixed viewpoints.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare hydrothermal basin with boardwalk, then use Brokeoff view to test what the site is trying to communicate.
Know before you go
- Orient from
- Check snow opening and thunderstorms, then stay on the boardwalk and compare vent sound, color, and mineral deposition from fixed viewpoints.
- Follow the evidence
- Compare hydrothermal basin with boardwalk, then test that reading against Brokeoff view.
- Place in context
- Distance: About 3 miles round trip; Elevation: 8,000+ feet; Hazard: Thin thermal crust
- Plan the arrival
- For Bumpass Hell Trail, navigate to Bumpass Hell Trailhead, Lassen Volcanic National Park Hwy, Mineral, CA 96063, the reviewed public trailhead. Before hiking Bumpass Hell Trail, recheck permits.
Good to know
The route often opens late, exposed slopes hold snow, and leaving the boardwalk can break through thin crust into scalding water.
Notice these
- hydrothermal basin
- boardwalk
- Brokeoff view