Big Nasty Trail,
Lava Beds National Monument

Located 18.5 miles from Tulelake, California (CA)
4 Stars
4,510 Steps 1  (2.1 mi)
Trails National Monuments Lava Beds Big Nasty Trail

The Big Nasty trailhead is located near the Mammoth Crater viewpoint. The trail starts along the crater rim and crosses a rough lava field covered with brush. There are views of the many cinder cone volcanoes and surrounding lava fields from this trail.

Big Nasty TrailBig Nasty Trail HikeLava Flow at Big Nasty Trail

Elevation

The Big Nasty Trail has a maximum elevation of 5,421 ft., a minimum elevation of 5,178 ft. and an elevation range of 243 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
2.1 mi5,178 ft5,421 ft243 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
55 min22.3268 ft216 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
53 min18.0216 ft268 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Big Nasty Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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  1. Northwest Topo Map: Mount Dome, CA
  2. North Topo Map: Captain Jacks Stronghold, CA
  3. Northeast Topo Map: The Panhandle, CA
  4. West Topo Map: Bonita Butte, CA
  5. Topo Map: Schonchin Butte, CA
  6. East Topo Map: Caldwell Butte, CA
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Little Glass Mountain, CA
  8. South Topo Map: Medicine Lake, CA
  9. Southeast Topo Map: West of Kephart, CA

FAQ

What is the length of the Big Nasty Trail?
The length of the trail is 2.1 miles (3.3 km) or 4,510 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Big Nasty Trail?
A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 55 minutes in one direction and in 53 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Big Nasty TrailGillem Bluff TrailWhitney Butte Trail

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.