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Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Location
At the point where the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Cascade Mountains join. Lassen Peak is generally considered to be the southernmost peak of the Cascades.
Size
166 square miles. For comparison, the Isle of Wight has an area of 147 square miles.
What to See and Do
Lassen Peak is a volcano which last experienced a series of eruptions in the period from 1914 to 1921.
California State Highway 89 runs through the western part of the park, over a mountain pass. The views from this road are very scenic, especially on the southern side of the park.
On the southern side of the park the Bumpass Hell area features a collection of geothermal features including boiling mud pots. Due to snow, the trail to Bumpass Hell is not opened until some weeks after Ca 89 opens. When we visited in early June 2000 this trail was still completely blocked by snow.
On the northern side of the park the short and virtually flat Devastated Area trail vividly demonstrates the power and effect of the volcanic eruptions.
Winter Road Closures
Ca 89 through the park usually opens in mid to late June. In 2000 it opened in early June which was unusually early. When the highest part of the road is closed the northern and southern parts of the park may still be open but must be approached separately, involving an enormous diversion to the west (via Redding and Red Bluff on I-5) or to the east (involving a drive almost to Susanville).
Information on the current state of the road can be obtained from the California Department Of Transportation (CalTrans) Current Highway Conditions web site (enter road number 89 and check for the "Lassen Loop" section; external link verified Nov-02). There may also be information on the Lassen Volcanic National Park section of the National Park Service web site (external link verified Feb-04).
Entrance Fee
Entrance fee for a normal car, including the driver and all passengers, for seven days, as at summer 2000: $10.
Some Ideas for Places to Stay
In the Area
California
National Parks
Winter Road Closures
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Most recently modified 22-Feb-04