Lassen Volcanic National Park - 1975 & 2008

When Lassen Peak erupted again on May 22nd, the area was further devastated by a high-speed flow of hot volcanic ash and gas (called a "pyroclastic flow"), and the incorporation of snow into this flow generated new mudflows. Ash from the eruption rose high into the air and wind blew it eastward. Fine ash fell at least as far as 200 miles from the volcano.

Because of the eruptive activity, which continued through 1917, and the area’s stark volcanic beauty, Lassen Peak and the area surrounding it were declared a National Park in 1916.

My first visit to Lassen was a backpack trip in 1975. Thirty-three years later I visited again on a day trip in 2008.

1975 Backpack Trip

On September 6-9, 1975, myself, Stan Haye, Gil Bielke, Scott Morton, Mic Mead and Tim McSweeney gathered at the Park for a backpack trip.

We would climb 6,907' Cinder Cone and 10,457' Lassen Peak and hike 35 miles total.

On Friday, September 5, Gil came out of the mountains with Brian Jordan and cleaned up at my apartment in Lone Pine. Brian's folks came and they left on vacation.

Scott and Mic came up from San Diego - had car trouble near Little Lake and arrived late - finally fixed car about 8 p.m.

We transferred to Stan's car in Independence and proceeded north along with Mic who would later go on to Idaho.

Tim met us at the park. We made camp at Frenchman Flat Recreation area about 63 miles south of Susanville around 3 a.m.

Got up at 7 a.m. or so and made it into the park around 11 a.m. After lunch we hit the trail from north Summit Lake campground around 12:30 and traveled through forest with one view of Lassen Peak to Echo Lake, upper & lower Twin Lakes, Swan Lake and finally to Horseshoe Lake where we camped about 5 p.m. in an improved campground - formerly a car camp.

Sunday we broke camp leisurely and left about 9 a.m. following a pretty stream to Snag Lake - large and nice. Then on to the Cinder Cone trail junction (missed Panther Spring somewhere). Tim had not been well the night before and Mic was having knee problems so they went on to camp at Rainbow Lake while Gil, Scott, Stan and I took the trail to the top of Cinder Cone.

We had fine views of Butte and Snag Lakes, the Fantastic Lava Beds and Painted Sand Dunes - and nearby peaks and forest. The ice cave on the trail down was not much - no ice - just a vent hole with cold air.

We all arrived at Rainbow Lake around 4:30 and after a swim fixed supper. Our camp was visited a number of times by four deer.

Monday we proceeded via Twin Lakes to Feather, Silver, Big and Little Bear Lakes in the Cluster Lakes area.

Gil, Scott and Tim arrived back at Summit Lake early and toured Bumpass Hell. Mic, Stan and I took it more leisurely and arrived about 3 p.m. - went for gas and toured the northerly sights along the road. We all gathered about 5 p.m. at campsite A-16 in the North Summit Lake Campground.

Tuesday morning we got up early - 6 a.m.-and after breakfast drove to Lassen Peak trailhead and hit the trail under cloudy skies about 7:45. I made the 2.5 miles to the top in 1.5 hours.

It was cold and windy but not raining. The views were screened by haze and clouds but you could see the area fairly well including Mt. Shasta.

Mic, Stan and I toured the old crater areas before heading down. On the way down it sprinkled some as the storm seemed to be blowing past the area.

Back at the cars around 11 a.m. Mic headed for Idaho, Tim for home, and the rest of us went to Bumpass Hell to see the steam vents and mud pots.

We then made a short stop at the Sulphur Works and the cafeteria at the ski area - finally getting on the road for home about 3 p.m.

We stopped in Reno for gas and Carson City for supper about 7 p.m. We hit heavy rain around Bridgeport which slowed things down a little. The drive down Owen's Valley featured a wild electrical storm. We arrived home about midnight

Gil and Scott spent the night and headed for San Diego around 6 a.m. Wednesday. I enjoyed the trip. The hike through the forest wasn't too impressive and it would be nice to spend more time in the southern end of the park around Lassen Peak and Warner Valley.

Click Here For 2008 Visit Page