Headed southeast from Winchester Bay, Oregon, after 7 hours on the road, we stopped for the night at Red Bluff RV Park, in Red Bluff, California (full hookup, pull through, shaded site $35.00 a night). This is one of the nicest independent parks where we have stayed.
At check in I picked up a brochure for Lassen Volcanic National Park. The park was along the route, Scenic HWY 36, we were planning on taking to get on I 395 headed East. After out experience at Mount Rainier, Volcanoes have really peaked our interest.
We were not the least bit disappointed. This is a hidden gem. Later we found out that this is the least visited National Park, yearly. We were told this by a “local” and she said it with great pride.
It is another hikers paradise. Only given one day to explore we chose the 30 mile road trip. It was thrilling (no guardrails) at points, very twisty and curvy at others, lots of switchbacks (35 mph max speed). It has some of the geothermal features of Yellowstone, awesome views and beautiful wildflowers. One of the things that most fascinated me is a 30 ton, Hot Rock, that had been thrown 5 miles, during the largest eruption, May 22, 1915.
Lassen Peak is one of many active, dormant, or extinct volcanoes found around the Pacific Ocean in a Ring of Fire. Remember the Johnny Cash song “Ring of Fire”? I know where he may have gotten the inspiration 🙂
This is a place that David and I both agree, would be an awesome place to hike in the early summer or early fall. David has put hiking Lassen Peak on his bucket list . This is a 4.8 mile round trip, five plus hour hike with an elevation gain of 1,957 ft. I put hiking Bumpass Hell on mine. This is a 3 mile round trip, 2 hour hike with an elevation gain of 300 ft.
The “local” that we met said this is the first year in her lifetime that Mt Lassen has not kept snow on her peaks throughout the year.
Once again, some of the clarity, of some of my photos was lessened by smoky air. The heat, dry conditions and forest fires in the Northwest and California are really taking their toll.
The area is still a photographers canvass. Enjoy the slide show.