The Western route of the California Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway (CVLSB) begins on US 97 just after crossing into California from Oregon. This route travels southwest along US 97 through a long stretch of desert and irrigated crop lands with a 360 mountain backdrop. After passing Goosenest Ranger Station, evergreen trees begin to appear along the highway and soon after that, the route enters the eastern reaches of the Klamath National Forest and from here the roadway curves in and out of the national forest, passes near to Lake Shastina and then arrives at Weed, California.

In the city of Weed, the route connects to IH 5, travels south to Mt Shasta, California and immediately after takes the State Highway (SH) 89 exit and travels east along SH 89 towards McCloud, California. After passing the town of McCloud, the roadway continues east until arriving to where both the east and west routes merge at coordinates: 41.2527449, -121.8240580.

Then, both routes travel southeast together on SH 89, enters the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and then arrives at where the roadpath crosses the Lake Britton Bridge, a dammed reservoir on the Pit River. Once south of the Pit River, the route enters Burney Fall State Park where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses the roadpath near Burney Falls State Park and store.

The combined routes next leave Shasta-trinity National Forest cross SH 299 and soon after enter into the Lassen National forest and pass through the amall forest community of Hat Creek. A short distance southeast of Hat Creek, combined east and west routes come to a the junction of SH 44 (Feather Lake Highway) and here the two routes split.

The eastern route turns left and follows US 44 east towards Susanville, California, while the western route continues straight ahead in a southwest direction on the combined US 89 (south) and US 44 (west) and immediately arrives at Old Station, another small mountain forest community.

The CVLSB-CA western route then leaves southwest from Old Station for about thirteen miles and arrives at the intersection of SH 44 and SH 89. Turning left, the western route follows SH 89 south which is now combined with SH 44 east and immediately enters Lassen Volcano National Park.

Upon entering the National Park, there is a national park sign on the right and a road to the left leading to Lassen Crossroads restroom and information kiosks. Continue into the National Park for another half mile and arrive at the Northwest Entrance and Fee Station. Just past the fee station on the right is Manzanita Lake, then Reflection Lake on the left and a large parking just past Reflection lake. From the parking lot, there is access to the Discovery center, Loomis Museum, Loomis Ranger Station, public restroom and several hiking trails. Adjacent to the east side of the parking lot is the Manzanita Lake Campground road which leads the park road (SH 89) southward and arrives first at the Manzanita Lake camper store.

Returning back to SH 89, the CVLSB-CA western route continues east, then northward to the northernmost location in the park and the southeast to the Lost Creek Group Campground and Volcano Adventure camp. The roadway then follows Lost Creek upstream and arrives at Devastation Area trail, Emigrant Pass (6471 feet), next the West Fork Hat Creek (6426 feet), and then the East Fork Hat Creek (6895 feet) near Summit Lake ranger station, Summit Lake and two campgrounds. At this location, there are several trails and the closest that the western route comes to the PCT within the national park, about two and a half miles to the southeast.

The western route then continues turning back to the southwest, then to the west and winds around several mountains and comes to Lassen Peak trailhead. This trail winds upon the south side of Lassen Peak for nearly 2.5 miles and climbs from about 8483 feet gaining nearly 2000 feet to the summit. Next, after winding around several more curves, the next place to stop is Lake Helen at the Bumpass Trailhead.

Lake Hellen is a beautiful tarn, so beautiful that when I stopped here, there was no doubt in my mine that I have not seen one more so. Next, I don my hiking shoes, get out my day pack and strike out on Bumpass Hell trail to see some of the volcanic vents but only walk to the first overlook and then return to the parking lot. Next, I drive to Emerald Lake, get out and decide that I need to get into some water, so I walk down to the edge of the water and stick my feet in. Although the water is ice cold, it is such a refreshing dip, one that I will never forget.

Afterwards, I drive back to my overnight location, park, get out my stove, set up on the picnic table and prepare my supper.