Sixth Stop - Lassen Volcanic National Park - June 15 and 16, 2018

From Lakes Basin, we had a 100 mile or so drive to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  If I have my facts straight, Lassen was the biggest volcano to erupt in the U.S prior to Mt. St. Helens.   Lassen happened in 1915 or so.  On our stops along the road and on short trails, there are great interpretive signs telling you what happened and what you are looking at.   Really incredible the force of the eruption.   There are a lot of geothermal things going on in the area.

After settling in at the Lake Manzanita campground (another beautiful site), we drove the length of the park to see the geothermal things.   Stops along the way for beautiful vistas and the story of the area.   We went from cold, cold snowy mountaintop to boiling mudpots and steam vents coming out of the ground in just a few miles. 

Our second day there was perfect.  Started out early when the wind was calm, and kayaked on Manzanita Lake.   Quite small, next to the campground, but so beautiful and relaxing!   Great view of Lassen Peak.   Paddled for a couple of hours.   Back to our site for coffee break and lunch, then went on a hike to Echo Lake.  4.4 miles roundtrip, with up and down elevation, and great views.  Yet another crystal clear lake at the end. 

As the weatherman predicted, we had some precipitation in the evening.  First - hail!  Then rain during the night, which sounded like music to our ears.   By the morning, it was clear again.  We have been so lucky with weather so far this trip.



































Comments

  1. Dave and SandyJune 24, 2018 at 4:19 PM

    Looking at your picture of Manzanita Lake reminds us of when stood on that same shoreline and all of a sudden a thick fog came rolling in. People in canoes and kayaks came paddling in at warp speed to get back to shore. It was so eerie because the sun was still shining.
    Sandy and Dave

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