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Pacific Crest Trail

the USA🇺🇸 | hikesPacific Crest TrailLassen volcano, Mount Shasta, Hat Creek Rim, lava tube | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Pacific Crest Trail
🌟 Highlighthike ranked #5
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The Pacific Crest Trail is not one trail you finish in a summer for fun, and most people who hike it never do all 2,650 miles; the bulk of travelers walk a section. This stretch sits in the north of California, in the United States, near the Lassen volcanic country and the Burney Falls area. The terrain is mostly forested ridgeline, with big views of Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta, and the gradients are kind enough that you get the scenery without the gasping. Difficulty is moderate, though water carries are long. Public transport to trailheads is thin, so expect a ride share or a hitch. I expected a wilderness hush, but at one dry ridge I found a cooler of free sodas left by a trail angel, which felt absurdly like a vending machine in the sagebrush. Your first day could be a gentle eight to ten miles through pine shade, ending at a camp with a view.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 the USA Travel Guide.
Best time to go: April - July, September - October
Duration: 10 days
Distance: 150 miles
Total ascent: 4500 meters


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #5 hike in the USAReasons people choose to hike the here

The Pacific Crest Trail pulls backpackers here because the northern California section strings together volcanic peaks, lava flows and forest in a way few long routes manage. Two things matter most. First, the views: Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta keep reappearing on the horizon, so every ridge feels like a new postcard without a brutal climb. Second, flexibility: road crossings and small towns break the route into sections of two days to two weeks, so you can walk a piece, resupply, and move on. Permits are free for short hikes and the long-distance permit is free, so costs stay low once you reach the trailhead. Many walkers use this stretch as a first taste of a thru-hike, since the grades are gentle and the mileage can ramp up as your legs adjust. You also meet a loose, friendly community … read more 👉
The Pacific Crest Trail pulls backpackers here because the northern California section strings together volcanic peaks, lava flows and forest in a way few long routes manage. Two things matter most. First, the views: Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta keep reappearing on the horizon, so every ridge feels like a new postcard without a brutal climb. Second, flexibility: road crossings and small towns break the route into sections of two days to two weeks, so you can walk a piece, resupply, and move on. Permits are free for short hikes and the long-distance permit is free, so costs stay low once you reach the trailhead. Many walkers use this stretch as a first taste of a thru-hike, since the grades are gentle and the mileage can ramp up as your legs adjust. You also meet a loose, friendly community of hikers swapping water reports at every spring, which makes solo travel easy.

💡 HighlightsPlaces and moments you shouldn't skip

  1. Lassen Peak views: The volcano dominates the skyline for days, and from high ridges you see its broad, scarred flanks and snow patches lingering into summer.
  2. Mount Shasta: The 14,000-foot cone rises alone to the north, and on clear days it floats above the forest like a second horizon.
  3. Burney Falls: A short detour leads to a 129-foot waterfall that spills from springs through a mossy wall, a cool break after dry miles.
  4. Hat Creek Rim: A long, exposed escarpment with sweeping views over lava plains, famous among hikers for its scarce water and wide open sky.
  5. Subway Cave lava tube: Near Lassen, this lava tube lets you walk through cold, dark basalt, a quirky underground change from the sunny ridge above.
Burney Falls and the walk toward Hat Creek Rim pair well in one day, with the falls as a morning swim stop and the rim as an afternoon push.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

Late June through September is the main window for the Pacific Crest Trail around Lassen and Burney Falls country in Northern California, when the snow has mostly gone.
  • Early Summer (June to mid-July): Lingering snowfields on north slopes and swollen creeks. Days run 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F), nights 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). Mosquitoes peak in the meadows.
  • Peak Summer (mid-July to August): Dry trail, long daylight of roughly 14 to 15 hours, and highs of 27 to 35°C (81 to 95°F) at lower elevations. Water sources thin out, and fire smoke can drift in. Trailheads and Burney Falls campsites fill on weekends.
  • Early Fall (September to mid-October): Cooler days of 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F), frosty nights near freezing, fewer hikers and shorter daylight. Storms become possible by October.
  • Winter and Spring:
… read more 👉
Late June through September is the main window for the Pacific Crest Trail around Lassen and Burney Falls country in Northern California, when the snow has mostly gone.
  • Early Summer (June to mid-July): Lingering snowfields on north slopes and swollen creeks. Days run 20 to 28°C (68 to 82°F), nights 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F). Mosquitoes peak in the meadows.
  • Peak Summer (mid-July to August): Dry trail, long daylight of roughly 14 to 15 hours, and highs of 27 to 35°C (81 to 95°F) at lower elevations. Water sources thin out, and fire smoke can drift in. Trailheads and Burney Falls campsites fill on weekends.
  • Early Fall (September to mid-October): Cooler days of 15 to 25°C (59 to 77°F), frosty nights near freezing, fewer hikers and shorter daylight. Storms become possible by October.
  • Winter and Spring: Heavy snow buries the trail from roughly November to May. Travel then needs avalanche and snow-navigation skills.
Book Burney Falls camping (about US$35 to 45 a night) weeks ahead for August weekends, or hike midweek.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
United States - the Pacific Crest Trail

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in the USA

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

Best hostels in the USA


Best quality hotels in the USA

🥾 Hike detailsA practical overview of the hike

Total Distance: The Pacific Crest Trail in this northern California stretch covers roughly 100 to 150 miles depending on where you start and finish, though the full route is 2,650 miles.
Duration: Allow 7 to 12 days for a full section, or 2 to 3 days for a shorter segment.
Difficulty: Moderate. Grades are gradual, but water carries of 15 to 30 miles on dry stretches add real strain.
Starting Point: Trailheads sit at road crossings near small towns such as Burney and Old Station. Public transport is limited, so plan on a ride share, hitch or shuttle from town.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lassen Peak: Constant
… read more 👉
Total Distance: The Pacific Crest Trail in this northern California stretch covers roughly 100 to 150 miles depending on where you start and finish, though the full route is 2,650 miles.
Duration: Allow 7 to 12 days for a full section, or 2 to 3 days for a shorter segment.
Difficulty: Moderate. Grades are gradual, but water carries of 15 to 30 miles on dry stretches add real strain.
Starting Point: Trailheads sit at road crossings near small towns such as Burney and Old Station. Public transport is limited, so plan on a ride share, hitch or shuttle from town.
Major Landmarks:
  • Lassen Peak: Constant backdrop on clear days.
  • Burney Falls: Waterfall and camp store near the trail.
  • Hat Creek Rim: Exposed ridge with long views.
Terrain and Scenery: Rolling ridgelines, volcanic rock, lava fields and dry meadows, with frequent views of distant peaks.
Vegetation: Ponderosa and lodgepole pine, red fir, manzanita and sagebrush on the open rim.
Wildlife: Mule deer, black bears, rattlesnakes on warm rock, and plenty of jays and woodpeckers. Store food in a bear canister or hang it.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Most hikers here deal with heat, thin water supplies and smoke rather than anything dramatic. Summer afternoons on the exposed volcanic plateau near Burney can pass 32°C (90°F), so start at dawn, rest at midday and carry at least 3 liters between reliable sources. Check a current water report, since seasonal springs often dry up by August. Footing is mostly smooth, but early-season snow patches on shaded slopes hide the tread, so carry a map or offline app and microspikes in June. Afternoon thunderstorms sometimes build over the high ground; get off ridgelines when you hear thunder. Black bears and rattlesnakes live along the route. Hang or canister your food, keep your distance and watch where you step and sit. Wildfire closures happen in dry years, so check the Forest Service alerts before you go and carry a spare day of food.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Pacific Crest Trail takes most thru-hikers about 4 to 6 months to walk end to end, covering roughly 2,650 miles (4,265 km) from Mexico to Canada. The stretch near Burney Falls and Lassen in Northern California takes about 4 to 6 days for a section hike of 60 to 80 miles. Day hikers can walk the 4-mile (6.4 km) Burney Falls segment in two to three hours.
Pacific Crest Trail is rated moderate for most of its length, with gentle grades usually kept under about 15 percent so pack animals can use them. The challenge is the distance, with 20 to 25 mile days typical for thru-hikers, plus heat and dry stretches in Northern California. Near Burney Falls, elevation sits around 900 to 1,500 meters (3,000 to 5,000 feet), so altitude is rarely an issue.
Pacific Crest Trail needs no guide, but you do need a permit for overnight trips. Day hikers and short section hikers can use a free California Fire Permit, while a long-distance permit for 500 or more miles is issued free by the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Burney Falls State Park charges a day-use fee of about US$10 per vehicle, and camping there costs roughly US$35 to 45.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other American hikes near Pacific Crest Trail

Explore more nearby:

  • Lost Coast Trail—Tide tables, black sand, seal haul-outs, beach camps| 236 km away
  • Half Dome—Granite dome, steel cables, Mist Trail, Yosemite Valley| 371 km away
  • John Muir Trail—Sierra passes, point-to-point, Mount Whitney, resupply buckets| 448 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

The Pacific Crest Trail is at its best in late summer and early fall, when snow has melted off the high ridges and the afternoons turn soft and quiet. I would start at dawn to beat the heat on the Hat Creek Rim, and carry more water than feels sensible.

✈️ When did I visit the USA?
In January 2023 I visited New York. Many years before, before digital cameras existed, I discovered most of the national parks in the West.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in the USA, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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