Day Eight: Lassen Volcanic National Park

If you haven't yet been to Lassen Volcanic National Park, you need to pack your bags and git. Git! That is, you need to go if you're the same kind of camper I am. I hate, loathe and abhore National Parks that are crammed full of people. I may never set foot in Yellowstone again because of all the people. But Lassen isn't like that at all. You've got amazing scenery (even the pictures without me in them are pretty good), lots of hiking, uncrowded campgrounds, and friendly people. In fact, I'd say Lassen was the friendliest park I've been in yet as far as the park employees, concessionaires and other campers go.


That's Lassen Peak and That's My Orange Shirt

Our first stop was the visitor center/gift shop (nothing new about that) and then we set out to find a campsite. We arrived at Summit North campground and found a terrific tent site near a little pond. Then we went looking for a hike. Our plan was to go to Bumpass Hell, largely due to the name. Believe it or not, it was actually named after a guy who fell into one of the boiling mudpots down there and badly burned his leg. How 'bout that. Anyway, we were disappointed when the trail was still closed due to slippery snowbanks on the route. Guess that's what happens when you're 7,000 feet above sea level in July. We settled for a hike to Shadow Lake, which was pretty dang nice of its ownself.

Lassen was declared a National Park in 1916 after Lassen Peak erupted and kept right on erupting. In fact, it was quite active from 1915-1917. Things are quiet now, and you can check out all kinds of nifty lakes, mountain peaks and volcanic features. I very highly recommend it as a great place to visit.