Three of the four kinds of volcanoes in the world can be seen along the Spatter Cone Trail. The trailhead and parking area are located at the Sanitary Dump Station across the Highway from Hat Creek Campground on Highway 89 in Old Station. The trail has a round-trip distance of 1.5 miles. Because the trail is not shaded, we suggest that during summer you take this adventure in the cool early morning or late afternoon hours. A heritage of the area's past, the Hat Creek Rim offers magnificent views of Hat Creek Valley, Lassen Peak, Burney Mountain, and, further away, Mt. Shasta.
Access is by dirt and gravel roads.
You'll also notice a fire-scarred area on the Rim. This area was burned during the 24,000-acre Lost Fire in 1987. Echoes of the old steam engines pulling their loads of logs and lumber past logging camps and depots will be your companions as you explore the rich history along the trail. You can pick up an Interpretive Trail Guide and Map at any Lassen National Forest office or at the Bureau of Land Management office in Susanville. On this trail you will travel along a path through a constantly changing landscape that has been sculpted by fire and water.