California · Hiking

Soda Creek

10.1 mi
round trip
911 ft
climb
5,875 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Is Soda Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Lassen National Forest. It doesn't name Soda Creek, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Soda Creek is a hard hike in California's Lassen National Forest, within the Almanor Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 10 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 911 feet. It climbs from a low point of about 5,000 feet to a high of roughly 5,900 feet. The trail is open from May 15 to November 1, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The surface is natural, and both horses and bikes are allowed. Summer is the warmest stretch. Typical averages from the nearby Canyon Dam weather station, which sits about 1,300 feet lower than the high point, run to highs near 86°F in July with lows around 50°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 42°F and lows around 25°F. Nearby, Sunflower Flat and Belden are hikes about 3 miles away. Yellow Creek offers canoeing about 2.6 miles off, and Queen Lily (family campground) is about 6.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Soda Creek

    Best months: April–June and August–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

      42° / 25°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 26°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      51° / 29°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 32°

      9 wet

    5. May

      68° / 39°

      7 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 45°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 50°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 44°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 30°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 25°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Canyon Dam, CA, 13.5 mi away at 4,560 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.