Boasting over 100,000 acres of rugged volcanic scenery, it seems like there’s always something to explore at Lassen Volcanic National Park. After all, this Northern California park is home to boiling mud pots, hot lakes, four volcano types, and a myriad of hiking trails for seeing them all! Featured here is a hiking trail that will take you to one of the park’s most magnificent wonders, known as Terminal Geyser. Despite its name, it’s not actually a real geyser, but seeing it is a must for any park visitor!
Get up close and personal (well, not too close) with a pseudo geyser in Lassen Volcanic National Park when you take on the Terminal Geyser Trail.
The Terminal Geyser Trail is a popular hike in Lassen, and for good reason. It takes you straight to a one-of-a-kind natural wonder! The hike is 5.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 610 feet. It takes most people 2.5-3 hours to complete, so be sure to plan accordingly.
Terminal Geyser can be found in the southeast corner of the park. A lot of visitors opt to pair this hike with a visit to Boiling Springs Lake since all you have to do is continue on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) to reach the "geyser." It makes for a moderate hike through the forest and a pretty great way to spend an afternoon in the park.
The trail starts at the Warner Valley trailhead parking area. From here, simply follow the PCT southwest through open forest and lush meadows. A small portion of the trail crosses Hot Springs Creek, which consists of both geothermal water and cold spring water from Warner Valley. Keep in mind that getting into the water is strongly discouraged due to its acidity.
You'll soon pass by some of the park's most notable geothermal features including Boiling Springs Lake and Devils Kitchen. There are several junctions along the trail, so be sure to pay attention to the signs that point you toward Terminal Geyser.
After a little over 2.5-miles, you'll finally enjoy a view of Terminal Geyser. As mentioned, this is actually not a geyser at all, but a feature that's created by a cold stream flowing ver a steam vent. All of that steam definitely makes for an awesome sight, just be sure to stay on the trail to avoid getting too close.
The Terminal Geyser Trail makes for a fun and memorable adventure in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Taking you straight to several of the park's most incredible geothermal features, plus the views you'll enjoy in between, pretty much guarantee an outing that you won't soon forget.
