CHESTER TO SUSANVILLE – WHAT TO EXPECT

The southernmost point of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway is the Chester/Lake Almanor basin, where Highways 89, 32, 36, and 44 converge.  It is also where the Sierra Mountain Range meets the Cascade Range. Although originally developed as a logging and sawmill community, Chester’s charm now comes from quaint B&B’s and 1950’s style motels. Westwood is just to the east of Lake Almanor/Chester and once was the largest lumber town in the west. A 24 foot tall statue of the legendary logger Paul Bunyan honors the town’s logging heritage.

The road north out of Westwood provides wintertime access to the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, as the road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is usually closed from November to May. Just a few miles off the byway and east of Westwood is Susanville. The cliffs and gorge of the Susan River flank its western limits and is the eastern end of the Bizz Johnson Recreational Trail. This rail to trail conversion is considered by many to be one of the most exhilarating trails in Northern California.

KEY POINTS

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