The first 2 miles is trail [No. 25], Butte Lake. From the Widow Lake trail are scenic views of Cinder Cone, Lassen Peak, Prospect Peak, Mount Harkness, and many other mountains of the vicinity. From the south end of Butte Lake the trail climbs rapidly, about 1,000 feet in 2 miles.
From Widow Lake the trail continues south, past the Red Cinder Cone to Jakey Lake (6 miles), and on to Juniper Lake (10 miles).
[27]. BUTTE LAKE TO SNAG LAKE
| Starting Point: | Butte Lake Parking Lot |
| Distances: | 6.5 miles to south end of Snag Lake, one way |
| Topography: | Rise of 100 feet |
| Time: | 5 hours round trip to north end of Snag Lake, 8 hours round trip to south end of Snag Lake |
| Features: | Lakes, recent volcanic activity, forest, flowers |
The first 2 miles is Trail [No. 25], Butte Lake. From the south end of Butte Lake there are two trails. One, not maintained by the Park Service, goes by the base of the lava flow, and the other goes through the forest to Snag Lake. Along the lava flow one can easily picture the volcanic activity as the trail winds close to huge basalt blocks.
The two trails come together at the bay on the east shore and one trail continues to the south end of the lake. From this point a trail leads to Juniper Lake, another to Horseshoe Lake, and another around Snag Lake and back to Butte Lake via the Cinder Cone. The total distances from Butte Lake are: to Juniper or Horseshoe lakes, 10 miles; and around Snag Lake and the Cinder Cone back to Butte Lake, 13 miles.
[28]. HORSESHOE LAKE TO SNAG LAKE
| Starting Point: | Horseshoe Lake Ranger Station |
| Distances: | 3 miles, one way, to southern end of Snag lake |
| Topography: | Descent of 600 feet |
| Time: | 3½ hours, round trip |
| Features: | Lakes, stream, flowers, forest, history |