Lassen Volcanic National Park will be a cool summer retreat from the valley this holiday weekend for visitors looking to camp, hike, fish, picnic, kayak, and even play in the snow. “The park has a wonderful variety of activities for visitors because of the differing elevations in the park,” stated Park Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz. “Unfortunately the one popular activity visitors will not be able to do until July 8 will be to tour the complete scenic drive through the park on the main park road.”
The scenic park road will be open ten miles to the Devastated Area from the Manzanita Lake Entrance and seven miles to the Bumpass Hell Trailhead parking area from the Southwest Entrance. Parking at these areas will be somewhat limited during the busy holiday weekend. The popular Lassen Peak Trail is open to the summit this weekend, but is mostly snow covered and will be challenging for those wishing to reach the summit. Hikers will find that to climb Lassen Peak requires an ice axe, crampons and helmet for their safety. It will be an excellent weekend for spring skiing and snowshoeing in the higher elevations. Many of the park trails still have snow coverage, including Bumpass Hell Trail, but visitors will still be able enjoy hiking along trails in the Manzanita Lake and Butte Lake areas.
All campgrounds in the park, except for the Summit Lake and Juniper Lake campgrounds, are now open. We anticipate that these remaining campgrounds will open in the next couple of weeks. The Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center and Loomis Museum are open daily and visitors will find concession-run facilities at the visitor center’s Lassen Café & Gifts, Manzanita Lake Camper Store & Cabins and Drakesbad Guest Ranch in full operation.
Ranger-led programs are offered throughout the summer with special programs offered this holiday weekend. In celebration of the Fourth of July, visitors are welcomed to attend programs featuring former Lassen Volcanic National Park interpretation rangers. Ever dedicated to this wondrous place, these rangers have returned to share some of their favorite stories and places in the park. More information can be found on the park’s website.
For more information, please contact the park at (530) 595-4480, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo.
Whoa, things just got a whole lot esaeir.