Can you die without walking? Journey to American National Parks (17) Stillness and movement. Lassen Volcano National Park, where you can feel the power of a living earth up close
Written by Sayaka Kato
This time we'd like to introduce Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in Northern California.
Although it is a legitimate national park, it is less well known to Japanese people than Yosemite National Park, so I'm sure there are many people who don't know about it.
However, this is actually a wonderful place that can be called the "mini yellowstone" of California.
It was designated as a national park on August 9, 1916, and the surrounding area became a volcanic terrain due to a large-scale eruption that lasted for a year from May 1914.
It is also a designated national park for volcanic research, and depending on the location, steam is erupted underground, and geysers and hot springs can be seen. It's truly a condensed Yellowstone National Park! That's how it is (volcanic activity is currently calm).
This national park is centered around Mount Lassen Peak, at an altitude of 3,187 meters, and of course you can also climb Mount Lassen. Mount Lassen is home to numerous trails and beautiful lakes and waterfalls, making it a perfect place for hiking and camping.
This time we will introduce a hiking trail on Mount Lassen Peak, which is also a symbol of Lassen Volcanoes National Park.
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Enjoy the unique and diverse natural expressions created by the volcano. How to get to Lassen Volcano National Park
It's just over four hours' drive from San Francisco International Airport.
From San Francisco International Airport, head north on Highway 80 and head 505 and 5.
If you continue along Route 5, 649 towards CA36, you will come across CA89, which runs through Lassen Volcano National Park.
entrance
There are two entrances in the park, located on the northwest (Northwest Entrance) and southwest (Southwest Entrance). The main season is generally from June to September, and in winter, roads in the park will be closed depending on the location due to snowfall.
Activities in the park
Spring - Summer - Autumn
Day trips include hiking, backpacking, camping, cycling, fishing, water activities such as boating and swimming, driving, and geysers tours.
Winter
You can enjoy a variety of snow activities, including snow sleds, snowshoes, cross-country, backcountry skiing, and snow camping.
Admission Fee (as of January 2021)
There is no need to proceed in advance to enter the park. You only need to pay the entrance fee at the entrance.
The park itself is open 24 hours a day a year. (Before entering the park, make sure you put your car's gas in it.)
- General car (private car) $30.00 (valid for 7 days)
- Winter: $10.00 December 1st to April 15th
- Bike $25.00
- Non-car bicycles and hiking people are $15.00 per person
Opening hours
South Entrance
Open 24 hours a day, year-round.
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center opens from 9 am - 5 pm.
North entrance
Closed from 10/31 to 5/21 in winter.
Loomis Museum opens from 9 am - 5 pm.
What is the information center at the park? Can I replenish my food and equipment?
There is a cafe and souvenir shops in the Comb Yamany Visitor Center area where you can get drinking water and food.
Opening Hours: 9 am - 5 pm for the main season from 5/21 to 10/12. 11 am - 2 pm from 13/10 to 2 pm.
Good things to carry on hiking
- Drinks (More in the summer, about 2 liters)
- Cold weather clothing that can adjust the temperature (wind can be cold on some days.)
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- Swimsuits (You can swim in the lake in the summer. There is no place to change clothes, but bring them if you need them.)
- Other normal hiking equipment
LASSEN PEAK Hiking Information
Trail data
- For intermediate and above
- Season June to September
- Trailhead elevation: Approx. 2587m
- LASSEN PEAK Elevation: Approx. 3187m
- Round trip: Approx. 8.2km (5.1 miles)
- Height difference: Approx. 600m (1968 ft)
- Course time: 3 to 5 hours round trip (including breaks)
Hiking departure from the trailhead
Address: Lassen Peak Trailhead: Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, Mill Creek, CA 96061
Head towards San Francisco and enter the park from the south entrance to see Comb Yamany Visitor Center (1 on the map above).
So we headed out into the visitor center for a rest break. If necessary, you can also get a map here. If you need drinks or snacks, you can get them at a cafe in the same area.
As you leave the visitor center and drive to the trailhead, you will see steam coming out everywhere. It also smells like sulfur. This is proof that there are hot water lines and mud springs.
If you're interested, park your car in the Sulphur Works parking lot that appears along the road and take a look. You can get a glimpse of the heartbeat of the earth. (2 on the map above)
If you continue further, you will see Emerald Lake on the left (3 on the map above)
It was just early in the morning and there was no wind, so the surrounding scenery was reflected on the lake, making it a mirror lake. The water is clear and truly beautiful.
Then, as you drive further, you will also see Lake Helen on the left. (4 on the map above)
Lassen Peak, the destination of today, stands tall at the back of the lake. You will be climbing to an altitude of 3,187 meters at the top of that mountain later. A shot from Lake Helen's south shore also appears in a reflective picture of Lassen Peak. This lake is also truly beautiful and quiet with high transparency.
Some people swim in the summer. It's going to feel good.
We then left the lake and headed to the parking area about a mile away. There is ample room for parking at the trailhead here and there is also a bathroom. (5 on the map above)
We're ready to go and head out.
The trail is well-defined with gravel roads. Signs that say "STAY ON THE TRAIL" are everywhere, with the message that you should walk along the trail without taking shortcuts. These are the basic rules to protect the natural world as much as possible.
As you climb, the forest limits will approach and the trees and shade will gradually disappear. The switchbacks on the steep slope require physical strength, but the view awaits you at the top of the climb is a spectacular view.
Don't forget to protect yourself from sunscreens and hats.
The views of the surroundings appear along the way are also spectacular. Take frequent breaks in a place with a great view.
As you climb further and the altitude increases, you can feel the air fading. Lake Helen, which I had seen from the side earlier, was quite far away once it reached this point...
When you reach 3,150m near the top, dark stones and whitish rock walls become noticeable. We arrived at the summit about an hour and a half after the start.
From the top you can see the views of the devastated areas affected by the eruption that lasted several years since 1914. During this period, the scenery was not clear due to forest fires everywhere in California, but it was still impressive!
On the way back, I'll go back the way I came.
bonus
Bumpass Hell is a 3-mile round trip (4.8km) trail that lasts approximately 2 hours near the Lassen Peak Trail. This is the largest hydrothermal area and you can see a truly mini yellowstone-like view (6 on the map above).
A hike in an area where hot water and muddy springs are boiled everywhere, and steam can be blown up and you can observe the phenomenon unique to volcanic areas. If you're still confident in your physical strength, check out this one out too!
After hiking Lassen Peak, I walked here as well.
Hiking information
- For beginners
- Season June to September
- Round trip: Approx. 4.8km (3mile)
- Height difference: Approx. 129m (423 ft)
- Course time: 2 hours round trip
Trailhead
Address: Bumpass Trailhead Parking Mill Creek, CA (On the map above, 6. Located just before the trailhead in Lassen Peak. Between Emerald Lake and Helen Lake)
Lassen volcano NP, a trailhead
In the hydrothermal areas, wooden boardwalks are laid out, and hikers are required to walk to prevent them from falling out. To ensure safety, be careful not to touch the hot water wire or throw anything or trash in.
If there is no boardwalk, be careful not to leave the course too far.
Notes regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of February 2021, various countries are likely to experience a variety of situations, including entry restrictions due to the strengthening of quarantine systems, restrictions on admission to national parks, and restrictions on travel within the country. These conditions may change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information such as embassies and consulates of each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas safety website (infectious disease risk information) and national park websites, and check the information about the transfer location, the countries where you plan to travel, and the area around the destinations you plan to visit before making any effort to plan and take reasonable steps.
Kato Sayaka
Leave your hiking and travel plans to Lassen Volcanoes National Park to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.
