Lassen National Park
Catch a Rare Glimpse of the Formation of the Earth
Review by Adam Schomer
“Peering through the steam, bubbling sounds below, sulfuric smells, one starts to feel transported back in time.”
Mt. Lassen reflected in early spring
Back in Time
Peering through the steam, bubbling sounds below, sulfuric smells, one starts to feel transported back in time. It’s like we are catching that rare glimpse of the formation of the earth in its early days. The steam is actually a sign that further volcanic activity will occur here one day soon. But for now it’s a national park flush with 150 miles of hiking trails, 8 hydrothermal pools, and a myriad of high altitude lakes. It’s a great testament to the last eruption that occurred here in 1914-15, one of only two places in North American that has erupted in the century. Lassen National Park was created to preserve this area for study and for us to come closer to the natural amazement that comes with knowing lava, heat, steam and pure motherly power is beneath our feet constantly, waiting for its chance to escape to the surface. So lets rinse off and begin. Warning, do not take a bath in these scalding pools.
Hydrothermal Areas
Sulfur Works is the first boiling mudpot you can see, about a mile drive in from the park entrance, right off the side of the road, and a perfect introduction. Don’t dip your toes in this “hot tub” as the 125-degree acidic waters will burn you. You can also try Boiling Springs Lake, which is very accessible via a 1.8-mile loop trail that passes through beautiful meadows. This is a beautiful lake that you cannot only get close to, but can peer at from above to take in its whole structure. Go farther on the path and you get to Devil’s Kitchen, named so because of all the steaming vents. Its a 4.2 mile round trip and well worth the venture.
Lassen Peak (10,462ft) erupted over 100 years ago and is actually the largest plug volcano in the world. Lassen Volcanic Park is one of the few areas of the world where all four types of volcanoes can be found – plug dome, shield, cinder cone and stratovolcano. This will prepare you with some knowledge of the hot pools, volcanic types and unique landscape, all while getting in some real enjoyable hiking and views.
Hiking and Adventure
If you are goal oriented, then know that from the top of Lassen Peak you can catch beautiful views of Mt. Shasta and from the top of Brokeoff Mountain you can catch views of Lassen Peak.
There are so many trails that it’s hard to go into a lot of details. If you like lakes, there are lakes, if you like meadows there are meadows, and if you like rock mountains there are those too. Just remember that Lassen is at high altitude and wintertime sees 30 feet of snow, so there is also amazing snow shoeing and cross country skiing. The temperature varies greatly based on the altitude you are at so check this site for various trails and their status. This will also give you a great list of possible trails to try and even backcountry hiking and camping. Again, remember that you will see snow in October, and there are bears in this park. Be prepared so you can fully dive into this great Northern California feeling that hasn’t been over run by the gold-rushing tech minds or glitzy Hollywood movie sets. This is some good old raw nature that reminds you the earth was here before us.
Wow your Friends with Science & History
Native Americans used to meet here, but never settled permanently because of the cold winter temperatures and because they could tell this volcano would eventually erupt.
As I said, it will erupt again, here’s the fun science on how that works. Your friends will think you are smart when you know this while hiking: Rain and snow falls on the highlands of the park, feeding a hydrothermal system. Underground, the water is heated by the hot or molten rock that lies beneath Lassen Peak. Hot water boils to form boiling pools and mud pots, then super-heated steam reaches the surface through fractures in the earth to form fumaroles such as those found at Bumpass Hell and Sulfur Works. This is a sign that the volcano is active and indicates that we will have further eruptions from the center of Lassen Volcano.
Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Get out there and visit one of Northern California’s finest parks.
