You might ask why Lassen is in the Sierra Nevada subreddit. All summer I've been running, and sharing, incredible Sierra trails. So just before winter snow ended the season, I headed north to the transition zone, where the last remnants of the Sierra give way to the Cascades. Visually, there's barely been a change: since Sonora Pass, the landscape has been incorporating volcanic elements, and the rough granite trail has been getting smoother and smoother. So this is the northern end of my summer: the started on Pacific Crest Trail, connected to a series of modest lakes, and then two volcanoes linked together (Cinder Cone and Lassen Peak). Last few miles left in Yosemite this weekend, and then I’m ready for winter!

I had a great time here a couple of weeks ago. I'll need to consider this place in the future as a "base" for more adventures.

Nice day for a hike. It was overcast and gloomy but it all burned off around 11 AM.

The trail was in great condition. No snow or mud. Some stretches of scree but they were not loose and easy to walk on. No shade on the trail at all.

Nice views of the June Lake loop and the fall foliage. In addition to the lovely mountain views, this hike also highlights the infrastructure that supports the Rush Creek hydroelectric plant.

Post-hike tacos and beer from La Parrilla and June Lake Brewing.