Lassen National Park
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Mill Creek Falls Lassen National Park |
September 2, 2009
A shuttle arrangement with friends Diane and Jeanne will enable today's hike
to be a one-way venture. Since all parties must drive the same 12-mile
section three times, it is just as well that the route traverses the highest and
prettiest portion of the park road, which skirts Lassen Peak itself.
From the Kings Creek Campground parking lot, a sandy trail leads to Cold Boiling Lake, where hot water bubbles up from far underground. A side trail heads off to Bumpass Hell; but a visit there is not in today's itinerary.
Easy going
Cold Boiling Lake
Bubbling up from below
The next scenic attraction is Crumbaugh Lake. It is beginning to look like autumn around here, and it's beginning to feel like it as well.
Crumbaugh Lake
The Yampah Hotel
Whenever a suitable view presents itself, the western skyline is dominated by
Brokeoff Mountain. For the cost of a seven-mile hike, you could stand
on top of it yourself.
Brokeoff Mountain, 9236'
A cooperative butterfly
Diamond Peak, 7968'
Approaching the area of Mill Creek Falls, we opt to venture off-trail
along the southern side of the canyon in order to get a good view off the falls,
which so far have been heard but not seen.
The falls are confusingly named, since the water flows directly from the confluence of Sulphur Creek and Bumpass Creek. No Mill Creek is in sight.
Mill Creek Falls and Bumpass Mountain, 8753'
Views of the falls are marred by some ongoing construction just above them. Six workers are laying a foundation for a new pedestrian bridge. They even have set up a battery of solar panels to power a cement mixer, which was transported here by hand along with most other materials. A prefabricated bridge will be airlifted in eventually.
Bridge construction under way
Searching for an easy crossing
On the other side of the canyon, a partially completed overlook provides a
good view of the falls. A close-up view reveals an unusual pool in
the middle of the falls themselves. It is here that we pass the only two
hikers we would see today.
Mill Creek Falls, 75'
A pool within the falls
Very few flowers remain in the area. The predominant plants are mule ears, which are so dry that they crackle in the wind.
Gooseberry
Hummingbird Trumpet
Dilapidated Mule Ears line the path
A nice footbridge leads to the visitor center via a few switchbacks up the hill.
Nearing the end of the trail
§: My first hike in this park in twenty years has been a mellow
outing. The weather was nice and the trail was easy on the feet.
Of course, a month or two earlier there were a lot more flowers and a there
was much more water at the falls.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality | |
| Flowers |  |
| Solitude |  |
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September 2021: The entire area has burned. |
