California · Hiking

Missing Link Trail Start, Tulelake, CA

Missing Link Trail Start, Tulelake, CA
0.7 mi
loop
4,628 ft
high point
Loop
route
Easy
difficulty
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Missing Link Trail Start, Tulelake, CA open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists an alert for Modoc National Forest.

  • Forest Fire Restrictions 2026 have been lifted as of 09/27/2026

    Agency alert covering Modoc National Forest · Order 09-26-01 · USFS · Modoc National Forest

As of · Source: USFS · Modoc National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

This trail links the Three Sisters Trail to the Bunchgrass Trail, creating a 10-mile (16km) loop. Missing Link begins on the Bunchgrass Trail about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from B-Loop in the campground. Hike on the Missing Link Trail for 0.7 mile (1.1 km) to reach the Skull Cave road. The trail ends across from the trailhead for Symbol Bridge. Hike another 0.1 mile (0.16km) on the road to Skull Cave to reach the trailhead for Lyons/Three Sisters Trail. Lava Beds has twelve hiking trails. The most popular trails are short, but lead to interesting historic sites and geological features. Due to resource concerns, pets and bicycles are not permitted on any park trails, on in non-developed area or caves. All trails cross or enter the non-developed backcountry, while the long trails are primarily in designated wilderness areas. The trails in this bulletin are arranged by their distance from the visitor center. Carry plenty of water regardless of trail length—no surface water exists at Lava Beds. Watch for rattlesnakes and wear sunscreen and a hat in summer. Be prepared for sudden weather changes any time of year. Pets, bicycles, hunting, and motorized vehicles are not permitted in wilderness areas. No person may camp in a nondeveloped or wilderness area with a group size of more than twelve, including horses and pack animals. Due to the dry nature of Lava Beds, especially in summer, open fires are not allowed at any time in the backcountry. Gas stoves are permitted. Other restrictions may apply during extreme fire conditions—please check with a ranger. Camping in or within 50 yards (46 km) of caves or in the vicinity of chimneys is not permitted. Camping within 0.25 miles (0.4 km) of roads, trailheads, and parking areas is also prohibited. Check at the visitor center for current weather information. Carry first aid supplies and let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. Off-trail hiking is not recommended, as lava terrain is very rough. Please remember to leave no trace. If you pack it in, pack it out. Leave what you find. All historic and prehistoric objects, plants, animals, and rocks are protected. Please store your food securely and do not share your lunch with any wild animals.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Nearby · Symbol Bridge Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca · Schonchin Butte Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca · Gold Digger Pass Trail
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Missing Link Trail Start, Tulelake, CA

    Best months: May–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 23°

      10 wet · 6 snow

    2. Feb

      46° / 25°

      9 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      52° / 28°

      11 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 31°

      10 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      66° / 38°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      76° / 44°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 52°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 51°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 45°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 36°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      50° / 27°

      9 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      41° / 22°

      9 wet · 5 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lava Beds Nat Mon, CA, 2 mi away at 4,770 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

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Symbol Bridge Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca

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Winding 0.8 miles (1.3 km) past interesting lava tube collapses and other features, this trail leads to many fine pictographs at the bridge and cave. Take the Skull Cave road to the first parking area and trailhead. Across the road from the Symbol Bridge Trail, you will find…

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Schonchin Butte Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca

~2 min drive

This trail climbs 0.7 miles (1.4 km) to the fire lookout and a panoramic view. Trail has a 500 -foot elevation gain. You can be a guest of the lookout on duty in summer. Please stay on the designated trail and do not shortcut switchbacks. Lava Beds has twelve hiking trails.…

Gold Digger Pass TrailPhoto: daveynin, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Gold Digger Pass Trail

~8 min drive

6.16-mile out-and-back trail in California with 729 ft gain and 4,710 ft max elevation.

Little Mount Hoffman TrailPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Little Mount Hoffman Trail

~20 min drive

6.12-mile out-and-back hike in California with 678 ft gain

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Lyons Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca

Next door

A former monument road, this trail crosses park wilderness from south to north between the Skull Cave parking area and Hospital Rock. It is 9.4 miles (15.2 km) long. Lava Beds has twelve hiking trails. The most popular trails are short, but lead to interesting historic sites…

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Whitney Butte Trail Start, Tulelake, Ca

~3 min drive

From Merrill Cave parking area to the west boundary of the monument, this trail crosses the wilderness in an east-west direction, curving around Whitney Butte. Enjoy an impressive view of Mount Shasta and the Callahan Lava Flow. This trail is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) one way. Due…

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Three Sisters Trail

~4 min drive

7.1-mile out-and-back hike in California with 429 ft gain and 4,580 ft max elevation.

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TAMARACK LOOP

~27 min drive

26.9-mile out-and-back out-and-back in California with 2,243 ft elevation gain

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Bunchgrass Trail Start, Tulelake, CA

~1 min drive

Start across from Site B-7 in the campground. Follow along the northeast side of Crescent Butte to the park road. Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) long. Lava Beds has twelve hiking trails. The most popular trails are short, but lead to interesting historic sites and geological…

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Heppe Cave Trail Start, Tulelake, CA

~5 min drive

Heppe Cave Trail can be found on the road to Mammoth Crater. This 0.4-mile (0.6 km) trail begins under tall Ponderosa pines. As you reach the end of the trail, you will view an enormous collapse. Follow the trail into Heppe Ice Cave that has a large opening at both ends. Due…