Lassen Volcanic National Park
By George Kelly
I first visited Lassen Park, as a teenager, in 1947. Since that
first visit I have introduced my wife and many families to all this great Park
has to offer.
Located 47 miles east of Redding, California Lassen Volcanic
National Park gives you a chance to commune with nature in a laid back,
unhurried way that many of our larger National Parks, with massive amounts of
visitors, cannot equal. There are no hotels or restaurants in the park. When
fully up and operating there are 455 campsites located at eight sites
throughout the park. All come with a table, fire ring and a bear proof food
box. Potable water and restrooms are available at each campground. The largest
is Manzanita Lake at the west entrance. It has a convenience store, showers,
laundry facility, 20 new sleeping cabins, a museum presenting the history of
the park and Ranger programs to enjoy. For information about these features or
to make reservations go to www.recreation.gov.
The main road traverses the park from the western entrance to
the new Visitor’s Center, at the south entrance, for a distance of
approximately thirty miles. While traveling this road you will be treated to
outstanding vistas of crystal clear streams, sparkling blue lakes, brilliantly
green meadows, multi colored wild flowers, stands of old growth timber and
areas that were completely flattened during the eruptions that ended in 1921
There are over 150 miles of hiking trails running throughout the
park. Many of which are accessible from the main road. My wife and I have hiked
many of them but there are four I think you should consider. The first is level
and only one and a half miles around Manzanita Lake. If you take this one just
as the sun is setting the last rays of sun light will be framing the summit of
Lassen Peak and beautifully reflecting it on the lake. Trout will be dimpling
the surface in their quest for an easy meal of hatching insects while overhead
Night Hawks perform a graceful ballet of swoops and dives in search of their
share of natures buffet.
A favorite is the hike to Bumpass Hell. It proves that Lassen
Peak is just sleeping and not dead. It is the largest hydrothermal area in the
park consisting of live steam vents, boiling mud pots, mud volcanoes, hot springs
and boiling pools of water. These are all extremely hot so for your safety stay
on the wooden planked walkways. Bumpass Hell is reached by an easy trail of
three miles for the round trip. It starts at Emerald Lake on the main road. You
will know when you are getting close by the smell of sulphur in the air.
The hike up Cinder Cone will require a short drive out of the
park and re-entering at the Butte Lake road. Directions are available at either
of the entrance stations. Cinder Cone is a moderate hike of four miles round
trip. When reaching its base the hike becomes more strenuous as you start up
the trail to the summit. Good hiking boots should be worn as the loose cinders
make walking up it like walking in sand. You climb 700 feet from the base to
the top and it can be tiring but the views make it worthwhile so just take your
time and enjoy them all.
The climb to the summit of Lassen Peak is the most strenuous
hike but well worth it for the outstanding views you will experience. The trail
starts from the parking lot at the 8500 foot level and rises to the summit at
10457 feet. This is a round trip of 5 miles. Sun glasses, a warm light weight
jacket, a good hat and hiking boots should be worn to make this climb. Bring
water as there is none available on the trail. This climb does not require any
technical abilities but rather that you are in fairly good shape. A word of
advice, make this hike near the end of your stay so you will more acclimatized
to the altitude.
Lassen Volcanic National Park is a park where families can enjoy
nature as nature intended it should be enjoyed.
