- Continue to Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Hike to Bumpass Hell with lots of geothermal activities
- Prepare lunch at Summit Lake
- Long drive towards the coast to Eureka
After breakfast in the room, we continue on Highways 89 and later on 36 until we reach the south entrance of the Lassen Volcanic National Park to reach. In the Visitors Center we find out what is still to be done at this time of the year. After all, something was already happening in the higher park regions a few days ago snow like.
We decide to go to the valley basin Bumpass Hell to hike with geothermal activity. After almost an hour, after crossing a ridge with some snow on the way, we come to the Hot water pools, fumaroles, various sulfur chimneys and mudpots at. The scenery is reminiscent of the Yellowstone National Park, albeit in much more modest dimensions. The seething one is particularly impressive Big boiler, the world's hottest fumarole with up to 161 ° C, which is not located near an active volcano.
We continue on the route through the park. The mighty one is always in view Let Peakwhose summit is no longer accessible because it is covered with snow. At Summit Lake we use the picnic area to dispose of leftovers. Niki makes a soup and I make myself a salad.
Here we are in the Devastated Area, which at Outbreak of the Lassen Peak 1917 was totally devastated. Pyroclastic storms and lahars have razed the entire area to the ground. It's amazing how much nature has recovered in the last century. This outbreak prompted the US government to establish the little-visited park.
Clouds slowly gather around the summit of Lassen Peak and announce the Weather change from tomorrow. One day later we would have had problems on this route, after all, intense snowfalls have been announced and the exposed park road should be closed. The parkland is pretty dry after a long summer.
Unfortunately, we don't have enough time to visit the beautiful Cinder Cone in the isolated northeast of the park. We drive over the highways 44 and 299 via Redding to the coast to Eureka. During the long drive let's take turns. In Eureka let's test the fast food chain Applebees before we stay at the nearby Super8 Motel.
