Lassen
Volcanic National Park—home
to the world's largest plug dome volcano, Lassen Volcanic
National Park is a land of superlatives.
If
you've lived in the city too long, pack up the family or go by
yourself and visit an incredible wonderland in Northern
California. You can start your visit in Redding 50 miles west
and stop at Burney Falls, a beautiful, natural waterfalls with a
small trail for hiking. Grab some lunch at the Burney Falls cafe
inside the park and then head over to Lassen Volcanic National
Park northwest entrance. It's a trip to remind you that
nature is even more beautiful than you remembered or had
imagined.
Lassen
Volcanic National Park is located in Northeastern California at
the southern terminus of the Cascade Mountains, approximately 50
miles east of Redding, California. Situated at the southern end
of the Cascade Range geologic province, Lassen Volcanic National
Park lies at the crossroads of three great biological provinces:
the Cascades range to the north, the Sierra Nevada mountains to
the south and the Great Basin desert to the east. The peak is
the southernmost volcano in the Cascade range, which extends to
Canada. The western part of the park features lava pinnacles and
huge mountains created by lava flows, while the eastern part
features small cinder cones, forested with conifers and studded
with small lakes. Pictured on left is Bumpass Hell with Lassen
Volcanic National Park's largest thermal area, including boiling
springs, steam vents and mudpots all visible on an established
trail.
Lassen Volcanic National Park connects with Highway 89 north and
south of the park and inside the park covers 30 miles, requiring
approximately an hour to drive. The best time to visit the park
a drive-through tour or hiking is August and September. The road
may be closed from late October to mid-June, but there is
parking and access to the area at both the north and south
entrances.
With
elevations ranging from 5,000 to 10,457 feet, there's snow on
the mountain peaks most of the year, even though the surrounding
region experiences hot summers with temperatures often around
100 degrees. During the few summer month that the road through
the park is open, the temperature is cool and pleasant, even
cold sometimes. It gets cold and night and guests are advised to
expect snow anytime of year. Pictured above in July are
several visitors from Colorado who came to snowboard, reporting
that they did some climbing but had a great time.
While the
dominant feature of this protected forest is the spectacular
Lassen Peak that burst into eruption in May 1914, the trip is
like a tour through Disneyland or some fantasy excursion filled
with a variety of things to look at and enjoy. Around every bend
you see nature's handiwork. You can stop your car and park
wherever you like and even drive slowly to soak up the ride.
Throughout the park the rock formations cast a greyish color and
in some locations you can look at the tumble of lava flow seen
in rocks that actually depict the volcano's path less than 100
years ago.
Visit a
Volcano - Beneath Lassen's forest floor lies a turbulent storm
of heat. 600,000 years ago, the collision and warping of
continental plates led to violent eruptions and the formation of
Mt. Tehama, Brokeoff Volcano. After 200,000 years of volcanic
activity, vents and smaller volcanoes on Tehama's flanks
(including Lassen Peak), drew magma away from the main cone.
Hydrothermal areas ate away at the great mountain's bulk.
Beneath the onslaught of Ice Age glaciers, Mt. Tehama crumbled
and finally ceased to exist. But in 1914 Lassen Peak erupted
with activity through 1921.
Lassen
Volcanic became a national park in 1916 because of its
significance as an active volcanic landscape. All four types of
volcanoes in the world are found in the park. Over 150 miles of
trails and a culturally significant scenic highway provide
access to volcanic wonders including steam vents, mudpots,
boiling pools, volcanic peaks, and painted dunes. Guests who
walk along the constructed plankways or bridges with guardrails
to explore the mudpots and steam at Bumpass Hell are in for a
surprise when the get a whiff of the sulfur stench as a cloud
drifts through the air and catches you unaware. Ambitious
visitors can hike 2.5 miles up a 2,000 foot incline to enjoy the
view from the summit of Mount Lassen. You can also seek out
treasures tucked away in the park like Kings Creek Falls and
Paradise Meadows, which sits in a glacier carved cirque at 7,100
feet elevation. Visitors can find services outside the Park in
Susanville and Chester or within the Park at the Manzanita Lake
Campers Store. Several campgrounds and the Drakesbad Guest Ranch
offer the only lodging within the Park.
Native Americans frequented Lassen during the summer mostly. The
meeting point for at least four American Indian groups that
included Atsugewi, Yana, Yahi and Maidu shows evidence of
hunting and gathering. Stone points, knives, and metals are the
few artifacts uncovered and on display at Loomis Museum.
In 1828 Jedediah Smith passed through on his overland trek to
the West Coast. The park was named for Peter Lassen, who guided
settlers to the region.
In addition
to driving and hiking, you can backpack, camp, boat, cross
country ski, fish, bird watch, horseback ride, kayak and even
swim in the cold waters. The park is open 24 hours. A fee is
charged to enter and additional fees are charged for camping.
Visit the National Parks website for current information on road
closures and any regulations you should know before you go. For
those who cross country or snow ski, it is recommended to drop
by the station upon entry and let them know your plans. http://www.nps.gov/lavo/
