Starting Point: South end of Manzanita lake Campground
Distances: 3.5 miles to upper meadows, one way
Topography: Uphill, 1,250 feet
Time: 5 hours for the round trip
Features: Forest, flowers, scenic views, stream
[Illustration: Trail map]
This hike starts on a fire road that provides steady, but relatively
easy climbing. The first 0.7 mile is through manzanita, and birds and
smaller mammals can be observed. When the forest of red fir and
lodgepole pine is reached the trail becomes much more appealing, and
striking views of Chaos Crags and Lassen Peak are glimpsed through the
trees.
On the last half mile, where the creek winds and tumbles through sloping
meadows, the wildflower display is magnificent. Flowers bloom profusely
through July and August. Walk through the upper meadows to see the
Lassen paintbrush (found only in this park), the pink Lewis
monkeyflower, the brilliant fireweed, both the blue and the white
monkshood, and many others. Camera, binoculars, and lunch are all
advisable for this trip.