Then it was time to be on our way. Our route took us north on CA 89 past Lake Almanor, which is HUGE and in a beautiful area. So – it was perfect for that mid-morning stop to make coffee/tea and have a little vanilla scone –

Lassen Volcanic NP shows Earth’s powerful forces, as every rock originated from volcanoes! Lassen Peak is one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world. (A plug dome volcano forms when lava is too thick to flow great distances. A steam blast shattered Lassen’s plug, creating an avalanche of melted snow and rock.) The last eruptions here were between 1914 and 1921, with the largest explosion on May 22, 1915. A local businessman, Benjamin Loomis, photographed these eruptions and was instrumental in getting the area designated a NP on August 9, 1916. Thank you Mr. Loomis!

If one enters from the south through the Yah-man-nee visitor center, there is easy access to the best known hydrothermal areas in the park – Sulphur Works and Bumpass Hell;-) Continuing north there are stunning lakes – Summit Lakes, North and South – and amazing views of Lassen Peak. Eventually one winds up at the northwest corner of the park in the Manzanita Lake area. This is actually where we started our adventure with the Shoe Crew.

After entering the park from this northwest corner, the first stop was the Loomis Museum and Ranger Station. Here the girls picked up their Junior Ranger activity booklet to learn about the park and earn a badge. (Gramma was sworn in to give the badges once all activities were completed;-)) The Lassen Volcanic Guide was also obtained to to give us hints on activities for our short stay. And we were off to find the Devastated Area and its self guided walk. On the way we passed Hot Rock! This several ton rock was ejected from the crater of Lassen Peak in 1915 and photographed by Mr. Loomis, who reported the rock – “too Hot to touch”;-)

The Devastated Area is a fantastic, short self-guided walk where one learns the story of devastation and the forest recovery following Lassen Peak’s 1915 eruption. It is also a great place for Junior Rangers to accomplish many of the activities in their booklet.

Now we were off to find Paradise Meadow via a trail that follows a creek up a narrow ravine through a beautiful forest of pine. The elevation change proved a little steep for some of our crew, so some just made it to the falls and a little patch of snow just right for a snowball fight;-)

On the way down, this rock was spotted – which definitely reminded us of a bear. Thought Grumps would make a good snack – –