by Jeff Fontana, Bureau of Land Management – Eagle Lake Field Office, Photos by Jeff Fontana
The forests and river canyon of the Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail are great places to enjoy the peace and serenity of winter. And a pair of cross country skis is the ideal way to get there.
The best skiing can be found on the trail sections west of Devil’s Corral where higher elevations, northern exposures and shade provide for great snow conditions.
Trail sections between Devil’s Corral and Susanville also provide good skiing just after snowstorms, and good conditions can linger for weeks after larger storms. This area of the trail is closed to motor vehicles, including snowmobiles; the west section is open to these vehicles.
For a scenic ski route that is flat and downhill, start at the intersection of Highway 44 and Goumaz Road, ski National Forest roads three miles to the Bizz Johnson Trail at Goumaz, and then follow the trail six miles east to Devil’s Corral. The route will require a vehicle shuttle. Maps and detailed information are available from the Lassen National Forest and Bureau of Land Management in Susanville.
The best skiing access points are from the Goumaz Road near Hog Flat Reservoir along Highway 44 (seven miles west of the junction with Highway 36), the Devil’s Corral Trailhead off highway 36, and the Susanville Depot and Miller Road trailheads in Susanville.
Skiers should always check weather forecasts before planning a skiing outing.
