Lassen Volcanic National Park
Our next stop was to visit mom's niece and check out Lassen Volcanic National Park. Mom's niece has a cat named KC. I wanted to play, but she mostly wanted to stalk me so we spent a lot of time having staring contests.
North Entrance off Hwy 44
The park is located in North East California in the Cascase mountain range. Lassen Peak is the largest plug dome volcano in the world.
Lassen Peak from near Kings Creek
Some of the road through the park is very curvy and mom said she almost got sick to her stomach just driving it! There were several pretty lakes that could be seen along the way, and the view from the passes was incredible!
A very crooked road!
Lake Helen
A distant view
Mom and her niece went hiking along Kings Creek but I had to stay with KC as neither of us were allowed in the park.
Kings Creek
They got to see beautiful scenery and wild flowers while we stayed home and had stare down contests.
Silverleaf Lupin
Paintbrush
Kings Creek
Mom also visited Sulphur Works in the park. This a a hydrothermal area where there is extremely hot water and mud pots. Mom said it was kind of stinky, like rotten eggs, but interesting to see.
Sulphur Works
A boiling mudpot at Sulphur Works
A steam vent at Sulphur Works
This area was once a huge single volcano known as Mount Tehama or Brokeoff Volcano. It was 11 miles across and 11,500 feet high. When it ceased erupting 400,000 years ago, it began to erode and collapse leaving the surrounding peaks that mark its once extensive edge, and one peak near its core.
Mount Diller, 9087 feet
Brokeoff Mountain, 9235 feet
Diamond Peak, 7968 feet. Near the origional core of the ancient volcano.
Mom said it was interesting to realize that she was actually driving through and around the inside of a once active volcano. You can see the road along the slope of Diamond Peak in the picture to the left.
We only had a day to see the park, but we enjoyed what we saw. You can find out more about Lassen Volcanic National Park by visiting their website at: http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
California Links
Lassen Volcanic National Park
