Lassen

It was smoky in Bend again, so we packed up the car and headed to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

We arrived in the early evening and stopped by the visitor center to pick up bear cans and took a walk around Manzanita Lake.

Our first full day in the park we did ‘touristy’ things. We hiked to Cold Boiling Lake. Why is it called Cold Boiling Lake?

Well, it is a lake and it is cold, but if you look closely you can see bubbles rising up to the lake surface, like it is boiling. Gases from a hydrothermal area below the lake are being released and make it look like boiling water.

We hiked up from the lake

and headed to Bumpass Hell. Why is it called that? Well, a guy named Bumpass was giving a tour of this hydrothermal area and at some point stepped somewhere he shouldn’t have and fell through the crust and burned his leg severely. Hopefully you can see the steam from the fumaroles and mudpots.

After checking out the sights we headed back

stopping at Crumbaugh Lake for lunch.

After that we drove to the Sulfur Works.

It was stinky.

We capped off the day with a swim in Helen Lake.

The following day we headed out for a three-night backpacking trip. The Dixie Fire in 2021 burned 70% of the park, so a lot of the trees looked like this:

We passed a lot of lakes on our trip. This one was especially green:

We stopped for lunch and a swim at Silver Lake.

We camped at Rainbow Lake on our first night.

This little guy was wandering around above our campsite, but he left us alone.

Day 2, we headed to the Cinder Cone.

A view of the Painted Dunes, the Fantastic Lava Beds, and Butte Lake from the Cinder Cone:

We were able to hike down into the crater at the center of the Cinder Cone.

Painted Dunes with Lassen Peak in the background:

We camped at Butte Lake on our second night:

On Day 3, we stopped at Snag Lake for lunch and a swim.

Heading back to camp at Rainbow Lake again:

Heading out on Day 4, we stopped for a swim at Echo Lake:

Whittling a marshmallow roasting stick with my new jackknife:

On our last day in the park, we hiked up Lassen Peak, 10,457′.

I practically ran to the top, passing countless adults along the way. There was still snow near the summit.

Mt. Shasta from the summit:

On the way home from Lassen, we stopped at Mt. Shasta to spend a day exploring the area. Castle Lake:

It was a bit smokey in the morning.

Next, we went for a short hike to see Lower,

Middle,

and Upper McCloud falls.

After some coaxing, I jumped into the icy cold water and went for a swim at Middle Falls.

A couple of times.

We went for Thai food in Mt. Shasta. Spring rolls:

Stuffed chicken wings:

Eggplant stir fry:

And pad se ew:

The excitement did not stop after returning home. A new, larger bike with 24″ wheels was waiting for me! I am now 20% faster than I was before.

And, as if that weren’t enough, I got a back-to-school haircut.