Summary 
| Difficulty | 4 Intermediate-advanced |
| Length | 5.1 miles round trip |
| Starting Elevation |
6750 feet |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
+900, -900 round trip |
| Navigation | Road, map and compass |
| Time | Half day |
| Season | December through April |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Lassen Peak |
| Start | Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center located one mile past the Southwest Entrance Station. |
Description
This loop combines skiing on Lassen Park Road with the Sulphur Works Cutoff to create a more difficult, but also rewarding, loop tour. It offers a rare opportunity to leave the main road in the park and explore the backcountry. Although you will only be off the road for 0.7 mile, the off road section is challenging requiring careful navigation.
The high point of the tour is Diamond Peak Saddle.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Waypoint 1 to 2
Miles: 0.0 - 0.7
Elevation change: +200
From the trailhead (1) ski north on Lassen Park Road for 0.7 mile until you reach the bridge (2) across West Sulphur Creek. The bridge is the turnoff point for Ridge Lakes tour.
Waypoint 2 to 3
Miles: 0.7 - 0.8
Elevation change: +50
Ski northeast on Lassen Park Road for 0.1 mile until you reach the Sulphur Works (3). At the Sulphur Works, an active hydrothermal area, you can hike the short nature trail (boardwalks) located on the north (left) side of the road.
This tour continues on the Sulphur Works Cutoff. The cutoff begins at the Sulphur Works on the north (left) side of Lassen Park Road just beyond a large steam vent on the south (right) side of the road. This point is west (before) the North Fork of West Sulphur Creek.
Waypoint 3 to 4
Miles: 0.8 - 1.2
Elevation change: +350
Ski north from Lassen Park Road for 0.4 mile until you reach the location where you cross the North Fork of West Sulphur Creek (4).
Waypoint 4 to 5
Miles: 1.2 - 1.5
Elevation change: +300
Continue to climb north of east for 0.3 mile until you reach Lassen Park Road (3) at a point 0.1 mile north of Diamond Peak Saddle.
Waypoint 5 to 6
Miles: 1.5 - 1.6
Elevation change: -50
Ski south (right) onto Lassen Park Road for 0.1 mile until you reach Diamond Peak Saddle (6).
Waypoint 6 to 7
Miles: 1.6 - 3.1
Elevation change: -350
Ski north for 0.3 mile to a 180 degree turn in Lassen Park Road and then south for 1.2 miles until you reach Diamond Point (7). Diamond Point affords a good view to the southeast of the Mill Creek drainage and Mt. Conard.
Waypoint 7 to 8
Miles: 3.1 - 3.7
Elevation change: -150
Ski generally west on Lassen Park Road for 0.6 mile until you reach Brokeoff Mountain Viewpoint (8). The viewpoint offers an excellent view to the west of Brokeoff Mountain, the largest remaining part of Mt. Tehama, an 11,000-foot volcano.
Waypoint 8 to 3
Miles: 3.7 - 4.3
Elevation change: -100
Ski northwest on Lassen Park Road for 0.6 mile until you reach the Sulphur Works (3).
Return to trailhead
Miles: 4.3 - 5.1
Elevation change: -250
Retrace the route for 0.8 mile back to the trailhead (1).
