[John Morrow]

I headed up to Lassen, a couple hours from Reno on a whim and really enjoyed it. I actually had no idea it featured the largest hydrothermal expanse outside of Yellowstone. Some easy hikes to highpoints brought me fine views and I did a quick overnight to a series of nice lakes. Leisurely all in all and that was what I was seeking. Friday I got one of the last sites in the walk in campground at the SW entrance Visitor Center. After setting up I walked over to the Brokeoff TH and did the nice trail ascent of Brokeoff Mountain to have a look around.

Starting toward Brokeoff Mtn

Heather and Brokeoff

From Brokeoff

The composite volcano slope

Up early for some sunrise color and to beat some of the crowds, I drove on up to the Lassen Peak TH and hiked the trail to the top of Lassen Peak.

Brokeoff sunrise

Brokeoff, Diller, Eagle

Trail grunts

Lassen Crater

Lassen devastation

Chaos Crags and Shasta

Reading Mtn and southeast

Then I sight-saw and drove to Manzanita on the North side of the park for ice cream and a wilderness permit. Back up the road to the Bumpass Trailhead to catch a 2PM Ranger talk and then a hike to the Bumpass Hydrothermal Area. A woman was in the process of being rescued so I stopped to see the helicopter show. Two actually responded initially! NPS service.

Reading Mtn

Lassen northside

Coming to the rescue

Injured hiker

steam and fumeroles

boiling!

bubblin'

colorful

Then it was off to the Shadow/Terrace Lakes TH for my short 1.5 mile hike in to a backcountry zone for a campsite.

Terrace Lake

Shadow Lake

Cliff Lake

In the morning I hiked right back out and leisurely took one more walk to Cold Boiling Lake which wasn't much of a Hydrothermal sight but a pleasant spot none the less.

Shadow morning

Outlet creek

IMG_3640

Terrace morning

cold boiling?

I learned I reached the top of two of the 4 volcano types represented in the Park: Composite Volcano: Brokeoff Plug Dome: Lassen I'll have to go back some day to hike to the top of a Cinder Cone and Shield Volcano (Harkness Mtn. and Cinder Cone would do it!)

[TPayne]

I was in the area towards end of June, was 45 degrees and pouring rain! Just a few days later, upper 90s. Bumpass Hell was still closed with snow. Thanks for posting the photos. Most certainly want to go back!

[LP]

Nice photos! I'm excited to be going to Lassen next month after a gap of many years. The Lassen Peak Trail has been undergoing a multi-year renovation and is only open a few weekends in the summer. As kids our goal was always to be the first on top for the day. This year I'd like to try a night hike and watch the sunrise.

[HitTheTrail]

I drove through there a couple of years ago on my way to the bay area and spent about a half day just checking it out and doing a couple of short hikes near the road. I could tell the area had potential for some great hiking. Also, I have not seen that much steam shooting up out of the ground since I was in the north island of New Zealand. Thanks for the reminder.

[Magellan]

Nice writeup, John.

[Magellan]

Got it. Lassen Peak trail status

[ree]

John, thanks for posting the trip report. We're toying with visiting this area soonish. I had no idea they had limited access to Lassen Peak. Thanks for the link, Magellan. I'm guessing there's loads to see there, even if that one area is closed, no? How many days do you need in Lassen, min? Great pictures... a little Yellowstone tucked in NoCal.