Brokeoff Mountain Trail: A Quiet Alternative to Lassen Peak

Looking for one of the best hikes in Lassen Volcanic National Park? How about a trail that delivers epic views without the crowds? If this caught your attention, we recommend hiking Lassen Volcanic’s Brokeoff Mountain Trail, one of the most underrated hikes in the park, and a much quieter alternative to the ever-popular Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell trails.

This 7-mile round-trip hike climbs about 2,600 feet to the 9,235-foot summit, making it one of the park’s most rewarding, less-traveled hikes. Along the way, you’ll pass through lush, mossy forests before climbing into alpine meadows. The walk through the forest was a highlight for us, with fallen trees and vibrant green moss around nearly every bend.

From the summit, you’re treated to panoramic views of Lassen Peak, Mount Diller, and much of the surrounding wilderness. On a clear day, we’d argue this is the best view in the park. It’s one of the only spots where you also get Lassen Peak itself in the frame.

We weren’t so lucky. We hiked this on a partly cloudy September morning, and at 7:45 am we could clearly see the summit from the trailhead. By the time we reached the top, it had clouded in completely and we had almost no visibility. Even so, we loved this hike. The scenery kept changing the whole way up, and there was something almost mystical about hiking through the fog near the summit.

With its quiet trail, varied scenery, and one of the best views in the park (clouds permitting), Brokeoff Mountain quickly became one of our favorite hikes in Lassen, and we think it’ll become one of yours too.

Our Lassen Volcanic Experience: We spent three full days exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park, hiking as many trails as we could fit in, including Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, and Cinder Cone. We’re avid hikers and have visited 56 of the 63 US national parks, so we know a standout trail when we’re on one. Brokeoff quickly became one of our favorites in the park, even with the clouds rolling in before we reached the summit.

Note: We took the header photo above from Lassen Peak’s summit, looking over at Brokeoff Mountain, so it’s not the view from Brokeoff’s own peak.

Brokeoff Mountain: At a Glance

DISTANCE | 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip

DIFFICULTY | Strenuous

TOTAL ASCENT | 2,560 feet (780 m)

HIGHEST ELEVATION | 9,235 feet (2,815 m)

TIME | 3.5 to 5 hours

BEST TIME TO START | No later than 9:00 am, before afternoon clouds roll in

BEST SEASON | Late July through September

TRAILHEAD | Half a mile south of the park’s southwest entrance, on Highway 89

Table of Contents

Brokeoff Mountain: Step-By-Step Trail Guide

Trailhead & Parking

The trailhead for Brokeoff Mountain is a half mile south of the national park’s southwest entrance. There’s a decent-sized parking lot on Highway 89. On Google Maps, the parking lot is labeled “Brokeoff Mountain Trailhead.”

Our car at the Brokeoff Mountain parking lot

We arrived at the Brokeoff Mountain trailhead at 7:45 am on a chilly September morning. We could clearly see the tops of nearby peaks such as Lassen and Brokeoff, and the sun was beginning to shine through the clouds much higher up. We kept our fingers crossed that, on a partly cloudy day like this, the higher peaks would remain visible throughout the hike.

Brokeoff Mountain Trail Stats & Elevation Profile

Distance: 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Total Ascent: 2,560 feet (780 m)
Lowest Elevation: 6,640 feet (2,025 m)
Highest Elevation: 9,235 feet (2,815 m)
Time: 3.5 to 5 hours
Mountain Lions: Signage at the trailhead notes mountain lion activity in the area. Stay alert on the trail, and ask a ranger for the latest sightings

Brokeoff Mountain elevation profile

Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife.

On the Trail

The trail is very simple to follow. You’ll hike along a well-defined, packed dirt trail. We never saw trail markers, but the trail itself is distinct.

Looking back along the very first part of the trail.

From the parking lot, the trail leads up through a large, forested grove with plenty of moss-covered trees. This was a highlight for us. Passing by fallen trees, hiking over logs, and seeing vibrant green moss clinging to the trees always gave us something new to admire.

Within the forest, the trail will slowly climb higher and higher as you continue up Brokeoff Mountain. It’s a steady uphill walk nearly all the way to the peak, but never too strenuous. There are a few flat trail segments mixed in, along with occasional breaks within the trees that offer good views out at the nearby mountains.

The first view of Brokeoff Mountain from the trail.

At 2.5 miles, we exited out of the tree line and had a clear view of Brokeoff Mountain. Unfortunately for us, clouds were already starting to form around the peak. It had only been an hour since we started, but that once-clear view of the peak we had from the car park was gone.

From here on, the trail is much more exposed. Once out of the tree line, you’ll follow a mix of dirt and rock as you near Brokeoff’s peak.

On a clear day, this can be one of the most scenic parts of the trail, with views of the park in all directions. Unfortunately for us, it was at this point the entire peak had clouded in, along with nearby peaks such as Lassen. Although we didn’t have a panoramic view, there was something mystical about hiking past mangled trees in the fog.

Clouds are moving in around the summit of Brokeoff Mountain

To the Summit

At 3.3 miles, there is a loosely defined trail split. Follow the path to the right. It will become clear early on that this is still the correct trail.

As you approach the summit, the trail will get slightly steeper and rockier. A handful of switchbacks will lead to the top of Brokeoff Mountain. Since this section is exposed, it can be windy and feel much colder than at the trailhead. We recommend packing a jacket or gloves.

The final stretch of trail to the summit of Brokeoff Mountain

You’ll reach the peak at 3.7 miles. From here, you get one of the best views within Lassen Volcanic National Park. On a clear day, you will be able to see Lassen Peak, Mount Diller, and many of the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately for us, our view was completely blocked by cloud cover, but from looking at photos online, we can tell the view from Brokeoff is incredible.

Here is our view from the peak of Brokeoff Mountain:

And here is a photo we purchased on Shutterstock. It’s a lot different, and we hope this is the view you get!

Take your time up here and soak in the view. You will be standing at an elevation of 9,235 feet (2,815 meters), so don’t feel surprised if you feel the altitude a bit. You may find it slightly harder to breathe.

Once you’re ready, return to the trailhead the way you came. It’s a light downhill the entire way, which is fun and fast to hike.

Best Time to Hike Brokeoff Mountain

We recommend hiking Brokeoff Mountain in the morning, starting no later than 9:00 am. Even on clear days, the peaks within Lassen Volcanic National Park begin to cloud in at around 1:00 pm. You don’t want to spend all that time hiking to the top just to have no view!

The best time of year to hike Brokeoff Mountain is from late-July through September. This narrow window is when the snows have melted and you’ll have warm weather ideal for hiking. Many of Lassen Volcanic’s hiking trails are snow-covered for most of the year and remain closed during this time. We recommend checking the National Park Website for trail updates before you go.

Is Brokeoff Mountain Worth It?

Yes, we think Brokeoff Mountain is worth it, especially if you’re an avid hiker, prefer a quieter trail, or have three or more days to spend in Lassen Volcanic. It was actually Julie’s favorite hike in the park. That said, if you only have time for one hike here, do Lassen Peak first. It’s the highest point in the park, and the views from the top are just as phenomenal.

If you have time for more (which we’d recommend, if you can swing it), here are our top 5 other experiences in Lassen Volcanic, based on three full days exploring the park:

Lassen Peak: At 10,457 feet (3,187 meters), this active volcano is the highest point in the park, and one of its top hiking trails.
Bumpass Hell Trail: This short hike leads through an active hydrothermal area full of bubbling mud pots and fumaroles.
Lake Helen: Set along Lassen Peak Highway, this vibrant blue lake is a great spot for a picnic.
Cinder Cone: We thought this hike was amazing. It’s tucked in a remote part of the park near Butte Lake, but it’s such a unique experience — at times it feels like walking on a different planet.
Manzanita Lake: Swim, kayak, or walk around this serene lake with Lassen Peak as a backdrop.

For more on all of these (and the rest of the park), our Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic guide covers the full lineup ↓

Best of Lassen Volcanic

14 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Frequently Asked Questions About Brokeoff Mountain

Should I hike Brokeoff or Lassen Peak?

Summitting both Brokeoff Mountain and Lassen Peak are two of the top things to do in Lassen Volcanic National Park, especially for avid hikers. Lassen Peak is the highest point in the national park, so you get an incredible view from the summit. Brokeoff Mountain is a much quieter trail with far fewer people, the trail itself is more diverse, and you can look out at Lassen Peak. Our family is split on which hike we like more, so why not hike both?!

What should I pack for the Brokeoff Mountain Trail?

We recommend packing a jacket and gloves for the peak, as well as snacks and water. This hike can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, so it’s best to stay fueled. As you near Brokeoff Mountain’ s peak, you’ll hike above the treeline on an exposed trail, which can be much windier and colder than at the trailhead. For this reason, we recommend warmer layers.

Can anyone do this hike?

This hike is best for those who have some hiking experience and are comfortable with large changes in elevation. Although the trail itself is simple to follow, the mileage, elevation change, and altitude of Brokeoff Mountain’s peak can pose a challenge. If you have kids, make sure they’re prepared and comfortable for long, somewhat steep climbs.

Plan Your Trip to Lassen Volcanic

Want to see the other best hikes in the park? → Our Best Hikes in Lassen Volcanic guide covers Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, Cinder Cone, and more.
Curious about summiting the tallest peak in the park too? → Our Lassen Peak Trail guide covers that hike step-by-step.
Want to see everything else the park has to offer? → Our 14 Best Things to Do in Lassen Volcanic guide covers all the top sights beyond hiking.
Planning your full itinerary? → Our 2 Days in Lassen Volcanic guide covers how to plan your visit.
Just getting started with your trip? → Our Lassen Volcanic Travel Guide covers everything you need to plan your visit.

If you have any questions about how to hike the Brokeoff Mountain Trail, let us know in the comment section below.

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