Tehama - The Magazine - Red Bluff Daily News
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/32392
By Kathy Garcia A quiet giant rests in Northeast Tehama County, rich in history, outdoor adventure, plant and wildlife. Just 45 minutes up Highway 36E from Red Bluff, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a nat- ural wonder, inviting visitors and residents to experience its gifts and unique volcanic legacy. Volcanoes and ‘Hot Spots’ The 13th National Park, signed into legis- lation in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, Lassen Park is best known for its vol- canoes. Not one, but 60 volcanoes can be found in the park and include all four types in the world — Plug Dome (Lassen Peak), Cinder Cone (Cinder Cone), Shield (Prospect Peak) and Composite (Mount Tehama). Mt. Lassen had its last series of eruptions more than 90 years ago, the largest taking place on May 22, 1915. The vol- canoes are considered still active today. You don’t have to be a rugged backpack- er to enjoy Lassen National Park. Even those wishing to see the park by car, can Volcanic Playground visibly identify the dif- ferent types of volca- noes with the use of a park map. However, those wishing to set out on foot have 150 trails of all types and levels of difficulty, including hikes to visit hydrothermal hot spots. Lassen Park hosts the largest group of hydrothermal fea- tures west of Y ellowstone. Underground water is heated by a body of hot or molten rock beneath Lassen Peak creating boiling water and steam. Bumpass Hell is the most well known hydrothermal area in the park and is just a 1.5 mile hike (about two hours) to see mudpots, fumaroles and boiling pools. The best time to visit Bumpass Hell is between July and October, once the snow has melted. ‘Miles of its flanks are reeking and bubbling with hot springs, many of them so boisterous and sulphurous they seem ever ready to become spouting geysers...’ -- John Muir More than 100 Lakes Steve Zachary, edu- cation specialist, has worked at Lassen Volcanic National Park for the past 20 years. He finds visitors sur- prised to learn there are more than 100 lakes, many easily accessible. Butte, Juniper, Manzanita and Summit lakes are the Continued on page 4 May 2011, Tehama - the Magazine 3