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Lassen National Forest

    Lassen County is a getaway to a place that lies at the heart of one of California's most fascinating and diverse areas, the Lassen National Forest.  Here the granite of the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades, the lava of the Modoc Plateau, and the sagebrush of the Great Basin meet and blend.

Wildlife

    More than 360 species of fish and wildlife call the Lassen National Forest home.  A little luck and a lot of patience can mean an unforgettable wildlife experience.

    It is common to see a herd of antelope on Hwy 395 going toward Alturas and on Hwy 36 in Willow Creek Valley.  In the Hat Creek area, be prepared to see everything from elk to bats.  Osprey and Bald Eagles are often seen at Lake Britton.  Elk, deer, snipe, swallows and bats can be sighted at Wiley Ranch.   The Big Jacks/Straylor Lake area will afford you a chance to see sandhill cranes and perhaps a badger.

    Was Eagle Lake named after eagles?  You Betcha!  Spend some time on the north shore and you should see Bald Eagles and Osprey fishing for their meals.   Near Poison Lake, you might be lucky enough to see Canadian Geese nesting  and occasionally a prong horned antelope loping across the plains.  Eagle Lake is also a great place to watch the spring courtship antics of the Western Grebe as they literally run across the water.

    Deer, chipmunks, golden mantled ground squirrels and various bird species are common visitors.  Sit quietly and they might come close enough to be seen clearly but remember, do not feed them.  Wild animals that grow dependent on human feeding invariably come to harm.

Trails

    Hikers, backpackers, horseback riders and mountain bikers will find more than 460 miles of trails to explore.  Remember that mountain bikes are not permitted in wilderness areas.  Trails range from wide paths with easy grades suitable for sneaker travel, to rugged, rocky, steep grades demanding sturdy footwear and lots of endurance.

The Pacific Crest Trail
    This National Scenic Trail, winding through about 120 miles of the forest, runs the gamut from the granite and high mountain lakes of the northern Sierra Nevada to the lava and broken landscape of the southern Cascade Mountains.

The Spencer Meadow National Trail
    On Hwy 36-89 at Childs Meadows, west of Chester is the Spencer Meadow National Trail.  This six-mile trail leads hikers through aspen groves, meadow areas, towering incense cedars and by bubbling springs.  The trail eventually connects with the Lassen National Park trails.

Hole in the Ground to Black Rock
    An easy 18 miles, this trail winds its way along Mill Creek from Hole-In-The-Ground campground to Black Rock.  The campground is on the Mill Creek Campground road in the Morgan Springs area west of Chester, yet east of Mineral.  In autumn the fall colors brighten the trail.  You might even find a few blackberries along the way.

Heart Lake National Recreation Trail
    This trail usually opens by mid-to-late June.  Stand of aspen and dogwood lend beautiful contrast to a pin and fir forest.  The trail, which follows Martin Creek, offers picturesque views of Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain.  The trail runs 3.5 miles from Martin Creek trailhead to Lassen Volcanic Nations Park near the south entrance to the park.

The Bizz Johnson Trail
    The Bizz Johnson Trail is one of the west's best.  Affectionately known as "The Bizz" by locals, it is gaining a national reputation for its beauty and easy accessibility.  Flanked by the flowing Susan River and meandering at the foot of tree-covered slopes, the trail is one of Lassen County's most scenic and tranquil recreational showpieces.
    But the trail offers much more than physical beauty and serenity.  It is built on one of the most significant historical sites in Lassen County, with roots dating back to the turn-of-the-century development of Susanville and Westwood.  This history comes to life annually when the Bureau of Land Management and the Lassen National Forest host guided, historic bike rides.    The trail is named after former Congressman Harold T. "Bizz" Johnson, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1958 to 1980.  Johnson was instrumental is getting the trail going.

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