Whitney Butte Trail – Lava Beds National Monument

Whitney Butte Trail – Lava Beds National Monument

Location: Tulelake, CA
Length: 7.4 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Features: Hiking, Nature Trips, Walking, Bird Watching, Running, Views, Wildlife, Dog Friendly

About the Whitney Butte Trail

Whitney Butte Trail is located near Tulelake, California, and is an 11.9-kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail. Whitney Butte offers the opportunity to witness wildlife and features a number of activity options to visitors and hikers. The trailhead is also marked with a sign so it’s pretty easy to notice.

Trails In The Lava Beds National Monument

The Whitney Butte trail is wide and generally flat. Bunchgrasses, sage brushes, wildflowers, and a few trees line the trail. During the first mile, the route goes through the northwest section of the Bearpaw Butte Lava Tube System. After going through the collapsed tubes, the trail parallels an old lava flow that still lies to the west and south of the trail. The region is popularly known as the Black Lava Flow Wilderness Area.

Top 3 Adventure Hacks

1) Carry a Whistle

While it may not always be needed, carrying a whistle is an important thing to do when you’re hiking alone. In unfortunate events, this hack can definitely save lives.

2) Use Trekking Poles

If you would like to make sure you keep your foot on the trails while hiking, take some trekking poles with you. These are extremely useful when it comes to supporting your balance when you try to climb slopes.

3) Stay Alert For Trail Markers

When hiking, it is extremely imperative to keep an eye out for the trail markers. This is to make sure that you will remain on the safest path through the wilderness and avoid getting lost. For extra safety, bring a mini GPS tracker or a map.