Thousand Lakes Wilderness, US Wilderness Area in Shasta County, California
Thousand Lakes Wilderness is a protected area in Lassen National Forest, California, featuring volcanic terrain with seven major lakes scattered throughout. The landscape includes steep hillsides, coniferous forests, and mountain ridges shaped by ancient glaciation.
Congress protected this land in 1964 through the Wilderness Act to safeguard its geological and natural features. The terrain formed over millions of years through volcanic activity and was later shaped dramatically by ice-age glaciers.
Native American tribes utilized the natural resources of this land, establishing deep connections with the lakes, forests, and mountain landscapes.
Visitors can explore 21 miles of marked trails via three access points, with snow typically blocking routes until June clears the high passes. Plan your visit for summer months when the terrain is most accessible and weather conditions are more favorable.
Crater Peak, the tallest summit in Lassen National Forest, rises from the wilderness and bears clear marks of ancient glacial erosion. This peak was once part of the original Thousand Lakes Volcano before ice-age processes wore down its top.
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