Lassen Volcanic National Park

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.