Next to the plugged dome of Mount Lassen, which last erupted only 100 years ago, stands the collapsed landscape of Mount Tehama (also called Brokeoff Volcano). It last erupted hundreds of thousands of years ago.
For the closest view of Mount Lassen (nearly 10,500 ft.) from the highest ground, the trip to Brokeoff summit (9200 ft.) is the hike. On a seven mile round trip, creek and forest soften the 2500 foot elevation gain before the trail cuts through steep rubble and crags of an ancient caldera’s edge.
Chilly morning temperatures ease the trudge up, ever up. Rest stops in the thinner air probably only mattered to the senior partner in the trek, but jumps and juggles for joy overtook weariness.
