California Volcanic country

Lassen National Park Hydrothermal Areas

Here’s another great video by National Park Service

Whenever people think of California they associate it with cliché images of beaches, palms, warmth and the coast. Coastal access comprises a tiny fraction, only a sliver of all the land mass. Popularized by surfers, cinema industry and tourism the Pacific Ocean draws all the attention of the visitors.

Visitors checking out hydrothermal areas known as sulfur works in Lassen — Iconic view of the sulfr hydrothermal baths with rising steam, a surreal view for California

The vastness of the state is mesmerizing once you become aware of what else California has to offer. Deserts and mountains are two other natural features strike a vivid images in minds whenever people fantasizing about the west coast.

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Looks like Coffee mocha; just dip your grandé cup for a freshly brewed steaming Sulfur fumarole

A post shared by California Perspective (@california_perspectives) on May 27, 2018 at 7:51pm PDT

Emerald lakes at the top of the volcano in the mountains — One of the coolest light blue colors we’ve ever witnessed found at the Emerald lakes

California Volcanic country is something a few people even heard off. Today’s California Perspective if going to zoom in on one of the most famous Volcanoes in the northern part of states – Description Lassen Volcanic National Park is in northern California.

Boy playing in the snow in the Lassen Volcanic Park — Misha playing with the snow at the top of Mt Lassen in April

Don’t forget to bring the sled, even if it’s not winter. You’ll have a good chance of encountering enough snow for sledding even during spring or early falll

Btw, check out Mt. Shasta while in the area – this mini trip will totally worth your time! Don’t forget to swing by the Subway tunnel cave while exploring the National Forest.

Family hiking MT Shasta, California Perspective — Hiking Mt Shasta with our son

California is not only earthquake country but also a Volcanic country. One of eight California Volcanoes – Lassen Volcanic park. The Volcano last erupted in 1917 and it’s been over a century since the devastating events of the last upsurge. Lassen Peak is at the top of volcano watch list, some even say it’s way overdue.

California Volcanic country, nostrils of viejo volcano — The nostrils of the old volcano near sulfur works

When to go visit Lassen National Park ?

We were fortunate enough to visit the Volcano during spring. One of my coworkers religiously travels to lake Manzanita to spend a week with his family every summer and wouldn’t recommend other seasons.

Snow covered mountains and ever green trees — The smells of sulfur & boiling mud were quite repugnant but the fresh mountain air perfectly balanced out the repugnant odor of the boiling cauldron

Speaking from experience, there’s a serious chance of road closures during the winter. So I would avoid colder month and obvious inquire about weather conditions.

Man sitting on a car at the Lassen Volcanic National Park — California Perspective taking a break between the winter hikes, it was warm enough for a t-shirt

Even though we went in the spring, most of the hiking trails were blocked by the snow and unfortunately we didn’t get to hike much, accept for the nearby Mt. Shasta. I wouldn’t recommend walking around on the snow, since it might cover dangerous sulfur fumaroles and other boiling cauldrons in the park, like “Bumpass hell” or “Emerald Lake”.

Kids playing in the mountain snow at the peak near Bumpass hell — Family enjoying the snow play at the National Park at Lassen

What’s so special about Lassen Park?

Lassen Park has some of the coolest geothermal features, which include three of the four geothermal features that exist: fumaroles (steam vents), boiling springs, and boiling mudpots.

Ever green trees at the Lassen Volcanic Peak — Snow covered Emerald Lake

Major attraction is located conveniently on the side of the main road (Hwy 89). The notorious Sulphur Works – a boiling mudpot five feet across that bubbles right next to sidewalk, you can literally touch it.

Sulfur works at Lassen — Checking out boiling mud that looks like late

Sierra Nevada Geotourism Page has some insightful info on the history and formation of these geothermal phenomena.

Here’s an intriguing history reference about ownership of the Lassen Pak land

In 1865, Mathias Supan, an entrepreneur from Austria, started a sulfur mining operation for a variety of products, including medicinal ones such as “Supan’s baby colic.” As sulfur mining became less profitable, the Supan family appealed to the tourist crowd with mineral baths, a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. The National Park Service acquired Sulphur Works in 1952 – 33 years after Lassen was designated as a national park – through a condemnation suit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice that allowed the government to pay the Supan family a court-determined price for the area.

California Perspective hiking in the snow at the top of the mountains — Dad with son hiking in the snow, near Reading Peak

Lassen National Park with kids

Well, it was one of our favorite and exhilarating experiences, knowing that the volcanoes can start erupting any second was pretty nerve tickling. Nevertheless, we’re glad that we made this far up north with our little dude.

California family playing at Lassen national park — California Perspective playing in the snow at the Lassen Peak

Btw, it seemed like every family that came to visit had at least half a dozen kids with them. I guess it’s a pretty fascinating place to take your kids to. Enjoying some of the most surreal hiking grounds in all of the United States.

Father and son at Sulfur work in Lassen Volcanic Park — Watching boiling sulfur cauldron, easily accessible with children

Good resources to explore before heading to Lassen Country

Josh McNair has some of the best write ups for the hikes located in Lassen Volcanic park. Check out this California Through My Lens posts.

Mt Shasta with kids, Mt Shasta, California, USA

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Turtle bay Exploration park Redding ⋆ Explore California with kids says:

August 3, 2019 at 6:30 pm

[…] of the tourists come to this part of the state for two Natural marvels – Mt Shasta and Lassen Volcanic Park. There are many more awesome natural features like – the McCloud falls, lava tube subway cave […]

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