Hiking the Bumpass Hell Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 3.0 miles / 4.8 km
The Bumpass Hell Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the park’s most uniquely beautiful day hikes, as it leads visitors to the largest hydrothermal area in the park, filled with steaming vents, bubbling pools, and colorful geothermal features, hence Lassen’s nickname "Little Yellowstone!"
Yes, Bumpass Hell will feel very similar to the thermal features found in Yellowstone National Park, such as the Norris Geyser Basin, and elsewhere, like the Haʻakulamanu Trail (Sulphur Banks) in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
That said, Bumpass Hell can be hiked from one of two directions. First, it can be reached via the Kings Creek Trailhead by way of the Cold Boiling Lake Trail, or via Lassen Peak Highway, with the Lassen Peak Highway Trailhead being the most popular because it’s shorter.
All that to say, Bumpass Hell is truly a must-see if it’s your first time visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park, but come prepared, knowing that it, along with the Lassen Peak Trail just up the road, is one of the most popular day hikes in the entire park!
Bumpass Hell Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Bumpass Hell Trail is located in a relatively small parking lot directly off Lassen Peak Highway, just before Lake Helen when driving up the road from Mineral.
I say relatively small because, given the trail’s popularity, it can be difficult to find a place to park by mid- to late morning throughout the best and most beautiful summer travel months.
Google Maps Directions: Bumpass Hell Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Lassen Volcanic
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
That said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the park is home to Black Bears, bear spray is not allowed in Lassen Volcanic National Park.
Hiking the Bumpass Hell Trail
The Bumpass Hell Trail follows a well-maintained, 'mostly flat' path out to the overlook above Bumpass Hell.
I mention this because, at this point, the Bumpass Hell Trail abruptly starts losing elevation—dropping about 210 ft. (64 m) down to the boardwalk—which will have to be re-hiked on the way back out.
This snowbank just off the trail often keeps the Bumpass Hell Trail closed for much of July, similar to the Watchman Peak Trail in Crater Lake National Park to the north.
Since Lassen Volcanic is notorious for being one of the sunniest National Parks during the beautiful summer travel season, I highly recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt to stay safe!
This is where the Bumpass Hell Trail passes directly past Lake Helen on the other side of the Lassen Peak Highway.
This is the view looking west toward Brokeoff Mountain.
Personally, I think that these views of Little Hot Springs Valley to the west are some of the most beautiful spots on the entire hike, along with Bumpass Hell itself at the very end.
Little Hot Springs Valley Overlook
From this viewpoint off the Bumpass Hell Trail, hikers can learn about the volcanic landscape surrounding Little Hot Springs Valley, how it formed, and why it looks the way it does today!
After the Little Hot Springs Valley Overlook, there are only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) before the trail reaches the Bumpass Hell Overlook.
It’s worth noting that, even though the Bumpass Hell Trail looks easy to hike in these photos, micro-spikes may be required to traverse the trail safely during the early summer months, as Lassen Volcanic National Park is notorious for hanging onto snow much later than other California National Parks, like Yosemite.
Bumpass Hell Overlook
About 0.3 miles (0.5 km) before the start of the boardwalk, the Bumpass Hell Trail reaches this overlook above the hydrothermal area.
This is the overlook mentioned at the beginning, where the Bumpass Hell Trail descends roughly 210 ft. (64 m) to the boardwalk below.
Upper Bumpass Hell-Frying Pan Junction
A short way down the descent, the Bumpass Hell Trail reaches this junction with the Frying Pan Trail.
Essentially, the Frying Pan Trail is nothing more than an alternate route, either on the way to or from Bumpass Hell, but I like to take it on the return hike.
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go right to stay on the Bumpass Hell Trail, saving the Frying Pan Trail for the way back.
Lower Bumpass Hell-Frying Pan Junction
When the Bumpass Hell Trail reaches the lower Frying Pan junction, go right to continue toward the boardwalk, located just around the corner.
Bumpass Hell
After 1.3 miles (2.1 km), the Bumpass Hell Trail reaches Bumpass Hell, the largest hydrothermal area in all of Lassen Volcanic National Park, named after Kendall Vanhook Bumpass, a pioneer and early settler who discovered the area in 1864.
That said, the final portion of the Bumpass Hell Trail is this short 0.2-mile (0.3 km) loop along the boardwalk shown below, where visitors can enjoy some of the best and most beautiful thermal features in all of Lassen Volcanic!
I chose to go left in the clockwise direction around the Bumpass Hell boardwalk.
Bumpass Hell-Cold Boiling Lake Junction
At the far western end of the Bumpass Hell boardwalk, the trail splits with the Cold Boiling–Crumbaugh Lake Trail, which leads out to the Kings Creek Trailhead.
This is the alternative route mentioned at the beginning, though it is not nearly as practical as the trailhead off Lassen Peak Highway, since this route adds roughly 1.2 miles (1.9 km) onto the hike each way.
In any case, go right at this split to complete short the Bumpass Hell boardwalk loop.
Read My Separate Post: Cold Boiling–Crumbaugh Lake Trail
This is where the loop around Bumpass Hell returns to the beginning.
From here, go left to begin the hike back up the hill to the overlook above Bumpass Hell.
Lower Bumpass Hell-Frying Pan Junction
Once back at the lower Frying Pan junction, there’s either the option to go left to continue up the Bumpass Hell Trail and return the same way, or go straight (right) to begin the alternative Frying Pan Trail.
Personally, I recommend going straight (right), because not only is there more to see from an additional overlook just ahead, but the Frying Pan Trail is also slightly more direct than returning by way of the true Bumpass Hell Trail.
Frying Pan Trail
Regarding my thoughts above, I chose to go straight to begin the Frying Pan Trail.
Frying Pan Overlook
This is the overlook that is often missed by those who choose to skip the alternative Frying Pan side of the loop.
After the overlook, the Frying Pan Trail simply winds its way back up the hill to the upper junction with the Bumpass Hell Trail.
Upper Bumpass Hell-Frying Pan Junction
This is where the short, 0.2-mile (0.3 km) Frying Pan Trail returns to the Bumpass Hell Trail, just below the overlook.
From here, go right to continue back to the trailhead off Lassen Peak Highway, about 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away from this point.
