Red Cone Trail

Red Cone Trail is a section of the Pacific Crest Trail that cuts north of its namesake cinder cone through one of Crater Lake's more stark landscapes. You're walking through a burn area here, which means almost zero shade and wide-open views in every direction — the kind of terrain that feels more high desert than Cascades. The trail itself is relatively flat by Oregon standards, making the 7.2-mile round trip feel more like a long walk than a proper climb. The ground is loose volcanic pumice in places, and the skeletal remains of burned trees line both sides like a ghostly honor guard. Without the usual forest canopy, you'll get unexpectedly big views of the surrounding peaks and ridgelines. This one is for hikers who appreciate solitude and don't need a postcard-perfect payoff — the landscape itself, raw and regenerating, is the point.