Lassen Volcanic National Park- a Photo Essay

Lassen Volcanic National Park- a Photo Essay

Thank you for reading this week’s post on Lassen Volcanic National Park. The place was fantastic, and visiting highly recommended!

Valley Oak, Red Bluff Recreation Area

Tuesday morning we hopped in the chariot and drove, on the interstate, to Red Bluff, where we set up camp for a night at the Red Bluff Recreation Area, on the bank of the Sacramento River. Although the river allegedly contains fish, there must not be many- no one was fishing. We went for a walk on the Shasta View Trail, where we spotted the famous peak in the distance. Of more immediate interest were the beautiful valley oaks (Quercus lobata) there.

Morning found us heading east on Highway 36, infamous in California for being the state’s most dangerous road. From what I saw I can’t agree, but we only travelled a relatively short piece of it.

About 9 AM we entered the park. Almost immediately we came to the Sulphur Works. Steam vents in the ground release large quantities of stinky steam. A natural mud pot boils, right next to the road. Truly, we live on an amazing planet!

A boiling mud pit at the Sulphur Works.

You find four kinds of volcanoes in nature- Lassen has samples of all four. The last eruption of Mt. Lassen was fairly recent, 1914. You can identify rocks there that are only 105 years old!

Susan plays with a boulder. I think that’s Diamond Peak rising behind her.

We camped there two nights, circumnavigating the park, investigating all the short walks and taking two longer ones, to King’s Falls and to the Devil’s Kitchen.

Balsamroot, at the Sulphur Works.

King’s Falls.

The trail to King’s Falls!

Mt. Lassen. It’s much more impressive from the other side.

If you’re looking for a 2000-plus foot elevation gain, Mt. Lassen Trail might be for you!

Looking east from the park road.

One of several lakes along the park road.

Another view along the park road.

Another view!

We wanted badly to hike the Bumpass Hell Trail but it was closed, covered with ice and snow. Our last morning there we woke up to 37 degrees and snow flurries. The park’s elevation averages around 6000 feet, with many higher points!

The edge of the Fantastic Lava Beds at Butte Lake.

Walking through a meadow, on the way to Devil’s Kitchen.

In the woods, same trail. Do you see Susan?

Snow plants, a strange species found along the trail.

At the Devil’s Kitchen.

Susan, such a tourist! At the Devil’s Kitchen.

I cannot recommend a visit to Lassen Volcanic Park  highly enough. FANTASTIC place!

Thank you again for reading this week’s post on Lassen Volcanic National Park. Life is great and I love life!

Every day is a blessing. Don’t waste it- Go fishing! or take a trip!

John Kumiski, author of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide

Purchase a signed copy of Fishing Florida by Paddle- An Angler’s Guide at http://www.spottedtail.com/fishing-florida-by-paddle/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2021. All rights are reserved.