Lassen national park

Just came back from Lassen in Northern California (our first but not last trip to Lassen). Entered via Manzanita Lake at the north entrance coming from Redding CA. Had a great 5 days in the park (probably one of the least visited national parks in US- sort like a step child in the parks system). Great hikes, nice campgrounds and the weather changed every hour. Our CI teardrop (Tina the "Tardis") met all the elements and performed like a champ. Wind, rain, sleet, hail & snow didn't slow us a bit. Unusual for a NP in that there is no hotel at either end of the park nor anywhere in between. (Might be because there's an inactive volcano sitting atop a large pool of magma. It last erupted in 1915 which is not very long ago in geologic time.) Snow came down below 7000 ft and closed most of Lassen so you couldn't travel over the 8500 ft pass at Bumpass Hell just below Mt Lassen(10,500 ft. elev.). Had a great time walking trails between fronts and snuggling inside Tina to pass the late afternoon reading in warmth prior to preparing dinner. Luckily our tow vehicle is a Eurovan weekender camper with lights and a dinner table so we can sit in comfort and look out the windows. Recommend Lassen to anyone especially in mid to late Sept. and perhaps Oct. The north entrance is quite accessible at approx 5600 ft. After that you play it by ear as weather allows.
And yes our teardrop is called Tina the "Tardis" because as everyone knows the Tardis is much bigger inside than it is on the outside.
Happy trails y'all

 

I LOVE Lassen! I went to high school in Red Bluff, so it was my "back yard". in the 70's my folks felt comfortable letting my and a few friends spend days there.
Favorite hike of mine -you need 2 cars one dropped off at Kings meadow, so if going w friends plan on this -start at the trail going into Bumpass hell, hike through Bumpass Hell and continue on to Kings creek meadow. Ive been there when all the frogs we in chorus at the lake.

 

We visited Lassen on May 3rd, 2015. It was on our first long haul with our new (to us) tear. We had not even heard of Lassen and happened to arrive there the first day the road through the park was open. None of the campgrounds were open yet and the park service let everyone camp in the visitor center parking lot. There were probably 10 or 12 campers staying there and the park service made sure we all paid our camping fee. Almost every person there wanted to see our little tear. It really is amazing how easy it is to meet people when you are towing a CampInn. Lassen was beautiful and we will make it a point to go back when more of it is open, perhaps our fall trip this year (2016).

 

Aaahhhh.. Lassen. A favorite spot of ours. Manzanita Lake is the campground with the showers, but a bit further up (and in Lassen we do mean "up") there are other more secluded and primitive campgrounds that provide a quieter time.

Our favorite hike was the Cascade, a long, perilous climb down the side of a cascade waterfall. It's not much more than a goat trail that drops 700ft in one mile of climbing. You are literally clinging onto a crumbling cliff at times. Exciting. Unfortunately the trail down the waterfall had eroded so badly the park closed it a few years ago, but the return trail that meanders over the hills, through some stunning meadows, past breathtaking views and eventually ends at the foot of the falls is open. Highly recommend it...but go early in the day before the screaming teens show up.

Love Lassen, love it, love it.

Camp On,

Sue