Lassen Volcanic NATIONAL PARK • CALIFORNIA
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Lassen Volcanic NATIONAL PARK • CALIFORNIA This 106,000-acre expanse of coniferous forest, Driving. Many of the major features of the park Motorboats, including electric, are not allowed on with 50 wilderness lakes and almost as many moun can be seen from the park road, which encircles any park waters. tains, is dominated by Lassen Peak, a plug-dome half Lassen Peak. Numbered posts are keyed to Natural Features should not be disturbed; leave volcano of 10,457 feet at the southern tip of the brief descriptions in the park's color Road Guide, them as you find them. Cascades. The great mass of Lassen Peak began as which is sold at entrance and ranger stations, stiff, pasty lava forced from a vent on the north headquarters, and visitor information centers. slope of a larger extinct volcano known as Tehama. Camping and picnicking. Four campgrounds and WINTER SEASON The lava was squeezed up to form a rough, dome- five picnic sites are located along Lassen Park shaped mass, plugging the vent from which it came. Lassen Park is open the year around, but the trans- Road (see map other side). The campgrounds at After this plug dome was formed, Lassen Peak was park road is closed by heavy snow from the end of Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake, and Butte Lake calm for a long period. Beginning on May 30,1914, October until early June. At a winter-sports area have sanitary facilities and spaces for trailers eruptions occurred intermittently for more than 7 near the south entrance, downhill ski facilities are (no hookups for electricity, water, or sewage). years. Other evidences of volcanism here are the in operation Wednesday through Sunday and on The Southwest Campground also has modern beautifully symmetrical Cinder Cone and the active holidays, from about Thanksgiving until Easter. facilities, but you will have to walk about 100 hot springs, steaming fumaroles, and sulfurous Hot lunches, refreshments, instruction, and rental yards from the parking area to the site. Camping vents. ski equipment are available at Lassen Chalet. Two is permitted from late May to October —depending rope tows and a poma lift provide beginning, inter Lassen Park Road winds around three sides of on the weather and the location of the camp mediate, and limited advanced skiing opportuni Lassen Peak and affords many beautiful views of ground. All campsites have fireplaces. Complete ties. Snow conditions are usually excellent for the volcano, examples of its destructive action, campground information is provided on request. cross-country skiing; but when deep, heavy snow and vistas of woodlands and meadows, clear brooks makes avalanches possible, the backcountry will be and lakes. Hiking. More than 1 50 miles of trails lead to lakes, closed. The southern section of the park has ter streams, waterfalls, mountain meadows, thermal Some 150 miles of foot trails lead you through this rain suitable for beginning and advanced skiers. areas, old volcanoes, and lava flows. Trails are well sweet-smelling and sparkling land. In the course For your safety, notify park rangers of all trips. marked and easy to follow. The booklet Lassen of a hike, you may see a variety of conifers pines, Trails and a copy of the topographic map of the The park road from Route 44 to the Manzanita firs, and cedars. Stands of broadleaf trees —aspens park are helpful in deciding which trails to take. Meadows District Office is kept open during the and cottonwoods —add color to the autumn land winter. The gentle terrain in the general vicinity scape. Willows and alders border Lassen's many Fishing. Several lakes and streams in the park have is ideally suited for cross-country skiing. streams and lakes. Wildflowers are usually abun rainbow, brook, and brown trout. You may fish any dant from mid-June through September. where except in Emerald Lake, Manzanita Creek, ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES and within 1 50 feet of the inlet to Manzanita Lake. Because this national park is so well watered and You need a California state fishing license. State Overnight accommodations are available at PGPO 1983-381-613/236 [Repnnt 1983 has such a variety of habitats, it is rich in animal fishing regulations should be read in advance. Drakesbad Guest Ranch from mid to late June until life—some 50 kinds of mammals,1 50 kinds of birds, mid-September. about 12 different kinds of amphibians and reptiles, Boating. Rowboats, canoes, and other non- and a wealth of insects. powered craft may be used oh any lake except Manzanita Lake Campground camper-service store Reflection, Emerald, Helen, and Boiling Springs. offers fast food service, camper supplies, and WHAT TO DO Follow the safety rules for boating; large lakes groceries. Fast food service and souvenirs are can become quite rough in windy weather. An available at the Lassen Chalet, near the Southwest The park's two visitor information centers, at approved flotation device must be worn by each Entrance Station, from mid June into September. Manzanita Lake (northwest entrance) and Sul occupant. phur Works (southwest entrance), are open from Park rangers are trained to give first aid, but the ADMINISTRATION nearest medical services are at Burney, Redding, early June to late September. Publications about REGULATIONS Red Bluff, and Chester. Lassen Volcanic National Park, containing more the park are available at both locations. Front-country camping is allowed only in desig than 160 square miles, is administered by the Schedules of religious services are posted. Interpretive Program. To learn as much as pos nated campsites—never in picnic areas or beside National Park Service, U.S. Department of the sible about the geology, plants, animals, and his roads —and is limited to 7 days at Summit Lake and Interior. A superintendent with offices one-half FEES tory of the park, you are invited to participate in Lost Creek. Limit at all other campgrounds is 14 mile west of Mineral on Calif. 36 is in immediate the free interpretive programs. During the sum days a year. Lassen Volcanic National Park is a designated fed charge. His mailing address is Mineral, CA 96063. mer season, park naturalists lead nature walks eral recreation fee area; entrance and campground Telephone (916) 595 4444. and hikes to nearby points of interest. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times; they are fees are collected. not permitted on trails, in buildings, at evening As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Evening programs are usually held in the camp talks, or in the backcountry. Department of the Interior has responsibility for grounds at Manzanita Lake, Summit Lake, and HOW TO REACH THE PARK most of our nationally owned public lands and Butte Lake. Talks on Indian lore and other special- Speed. Speed limit is 45 mph or as posted. natural resources. This includes fostering the — By train to Redding interest subjects are given at various locations Wilderness permits are required for all back- wisest use of our land and water resources, pro — By plane to Redding and Chico, the nearest com in the park. Schedules are posted and are avail country camping in this park. Never leave a fire tecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the en mercial airports. Private planes can land at Chester able at the visitor center and at ranger stations. unattended; extinguish it completely. Carry out all vironmental and cultural values of our national and Red Bluff. parks and historical places, and providing for the Self-guiding trails are at Butte Lake, Bumpass bottles and nonburnable materials. — By bus daily except Sunday and holidays from enjoyment of life through outdoor recreation. The Hell, Sulphur Works, and Warner Valley. Trail Trails. Stay on the trails. Do not take short-cuts. Red Bluff and Susanville to Mineral, all year. Department assesses our energy and mineral leaflets are-provided at the respective trails. Way Pets, bicycles, and motor vehicles are not allowed resources and works to assure that their develop side exhibits located at the Devastated Area and on trails. Extreme caution should be exercised in — By car from the north and south, Calif. 89; from ment is in the best interests of all our people. The other places in the park explain the natural fea thermal areas; small children should be kept under the east and west, Calif. 36 and 44. Department also has a major responsibility for tures. close supervision at all times. American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in Island Territories under U.S. Weapons. The use or display of weapons is pro administration. hibited. National Park Service U.S. DEPARTMENTOFTHE INTERIOR DISTANCES ALONG LASSEN PARK ROAD 4.0 Diamond Peak. 25.7 From From Fine vistas. southwest northwest 6.7 Emerald Lake. 23.0 entrance entrance A fine natural glacial cirque lake Miles Feature Miles 7 1 Bumpass Hell Self-guiding Trail. 22.6 0.0 Southwest boundary. 29.7 A 1 3-mile walk to largest hot springs area in the park; 1%- to 2V The Raker Memorial. hour round trip; alpine flowers along trail. 0.9 Southwest entrance station. 28 8 7 2 Lake Helen. 22.5 Named for Helen Brodt. first white woman to climb Lassen Peak, 2.0 Sulphur Works. 27 7 1864 Thermal area, steam vents, mud pots, self guiding trail. 7.9 Lassen Peak Trail. 21 8 A 2V2 -mile trail to summit, elevation 10,457 feet; 3- to 5-hour round trip Take your time hiking at this high elevation! 8.1 Park Road Summit. 21.6 8.512 feet 12.6 Kings Creek Meadows. 17.1 Picnic area. 17.5 Summit Lake. 12.2 Campground, campfire programs, fishing.