Lassen National Park
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Bumpass Hell to Kings Creek Lassen National Park |
September 2, 2015
Hiker friend Diane is camping out for a few days in a favorite park,
it being the one nearest her home. It is but a three-hour
drive for me to join her to explore a new trail. A five-mile
car shuttle will enable us not to have to retrace our steps.
At the trailhead
Lake Helen, 8164'
I haven't visited Bumpass Hell in nearly twenty years, so I don't remember much at all about this portion of the trail.
Starting up the path
The parking lot behind us
Brokeoff Mountain, Mount Diller, and Pilot Pinnacle all were
part of a single volcano
Mount Tehama, which formed about 600,000 years ago, was an immense mountain
up to an estimated fifteen miles wide at its base. It remained active
for approximately 200,000 years, with one eruption being about 50 times
as powerful as the 1980 blast at Mount St. Helens. Then, unlike the
famous Mount Mazama in Oregon which literally blew its top and left us with
Crater Lake, Mount Tehama ultimately collapsed as a result of extensive
erosion and interior hydrothermal activity, leaving behind several smaller
peaks as a reminder of its former prominence.
It is but a short mile and a half to the steaming hot pools.
The biggest hydrothermal complex in the country outside of Yellowstone Park
Nifty boardwalks enable safe walking on treacherous ground;
everywhere else is off-limits
Naturally, the smell of sulfur is in the air; but it really isn't at all unpleasant.
Most of the water is very hot
This nearby pond also is out of bounds to visitors
The basin is most colorful
A final view from the 'back' side
Now it is time to concentrate on the route ahead, which I never have walked.
Lake Almanor is 17 miles distant
Easy walking
Nice views
Crumbaugh Lake
Diane and I passed by that lake six years ago en route to Mill Creek Falls.
Volcanic Daisy
Applegate's Paintbrush
The lake is photogenic today
Many of the flowers are barely hanging on this late in the season:
Pearly Everlasting
Cow Parsnip
Pretty trail
Nice trees
It is so peaceful here today
Another lake appears below
This is a good time for a lunch break; we haven't much farther to walk anyway.
Cold Boiling Lake
Flopping down on the tall grass, I munch on grapes and gorp while Diane has a sandwich. From here it is but half a mile to the Kings Creek Picnic Area where my car awaits us.
Hot water is bubbling in the meadow as well
§: This was a very mellow outing. Hardly anyone else was
around today. It's not even Labor Day yet; but because school already
has started, most of the campers are gone. This was not bad, but it
did feel a bit eerie. I want our national parks to be popular —
just not overly crowded.
| Scenery |  |
| Difficulty |  |
| Personality |  |
| Solitude | |
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September 2021: Although most of the surrounding area burned, this thermal area and its new boardwalk were spared. The Park Service has reported minimal damage to the trail. |
