In Plumas County, a virtual forest of opportunity exists for snow shoeing and cross country skiing. Skiers should always check current weather conditions before venturing off. If you venture out, make sure you have the proper gear, adequate clothing, food and water and make sure someone knows where you are headed.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is located 35 miles from Chester on Highway 36/89. The park has over 150 miles of marked and unmarked trails for non-motorized winter sports. In Lassen County, ranger-led snowshoe hikes and ski tours are held on Saturdays during the winter. Contact Lassen Park at (530) 595-4444 for details.
In the Chester-Lake Almanor Area, the Lassen National Forest also leads various weekday snowshoe tours beginning in January. Call (530) 258-2141 for dates and information.
Just a few minutes drive out of Chester An interpretive recreation trail is located on the west shore of Lake Almanor. Skiers will enjoy miles of great scenery and there is easy access. Childs Meadow, Warner Valley Road, McGowan Lake, and the Caribou Wilderness also offer quiet cross country skiing in the Chester area.
In Indian Valley, several unploughed roads and trails offer excellent routes for snowshoers and skiers. The Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce has great information. One favored route, we’re told, is the road leading out to Antelope Lake, which begins just past Genesee.
In Eastern Plumas County – beginner ski trails are maintained in Plumas-Eureka State Park, one of which takes off from the parking lot at the state museum. Also find trails at the Eureka Bowl downhill ski area, and a more advanced terrain suited for telemarking leads to Eureka Peak, according to the Forest Service website.
The Bucks Lake Area near Quincy, a popular winter sports staging area, boasts a marked loop trail as well as miles of groomed and ungroomed trails. Vehicles are not allowed on the Bucks Summit Loop Trail and within the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area. This includes the trail to Spanish Peak. Skiers and snowmobilers share the other trails. Also near Quincy, skiers and snowshoers enjoy Snake Lake and Argentine Ridge.
The La Porte Area also offers good winter sports terrain and staging areas. During winter, La Porte is generally accessible only from the southern route (from Marysville/Oroville, via Highway 20 and County Road E-21). Skiers and snowshoers can follow groomed snowmobile trails along Little Grass Valley Reservoir and can find other shared trails at Lexington Hill.
Nordic Skiing in Lassen National Forest On the Lassen, offers miles of established and marked trails in the Colby Creek and McGowan Lake areas.
For more information
For maps and more details on the areas listed, visit a local ranger station or visit their website at www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/recreation/skiing or www.fs.fed.us/r5/plumas/recreation. Plumas National Forest (530) 283-2050, Lassen National Forest (530) 258-2141, Tahoe National Forest (530) 994-3401.
EQUIPMENT RENTALS
Cross country ski equipment may be rented at the following locations:
CHESTER:
• Bodfish Bicycles and Quiet Mountain Sports, 152 Main St.,
(530) 258-2338 (Snowshoes available for rent also)
Childs Meadow Resort, (530) 595-3383
EASTERN PLUMAS
• Mountain Hardware, Bonta St., Blairsden, (530) 836-2589 (Snowshoes available for rent also)
• Lost Sierra Adventures, 7512 Hwy. 89 #121, Graeagle (530) 836-1708
Snowshoes, cross-country ski and back country equipment rentals
A real favorite for Nordic buffs is the historic Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, accessible from the town of Susanville. (see photo and read more in this section.)
For the current Snow Conditions at Lassen Volcanic National Park or the snow depth at the Summit of Mt. Lassen visit the forest service website:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lassen/recreation/skiing/
