Although we refer to the park’s namesake as Lassen Peak, the Amerindians called it “snow mountain” or Kohm Yah-mah-nee. Lassen Peak is one of the largest plug dome volcanoes in the world, but only one of many volcanoes contained within the park boundary. Lassen Volcanic National Park boasts all four varieties of volcano, making it one of very few geographic regions in the world with this highlight.
Learn more about volcanoes from the experts at NPS.
The Lassen area contains a highly diverse ecosystem woven by the geographic regions directly surrounding it; the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Cascade mountains, and the Great Basin desert.
DAY 1 | Lassen Volcanic National Park
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
Tom and I arrived at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, near the southwest entrance to the park, just before 3 PM. As we walked into the center, we caught an announcement informing us that a 20 minute video presentation was about to begin, so we rushed into the auditorium and quickly found seats. The presentation covered the history of Lassen Volcanic National Park, as well as highlighting the prominent geological features of the park. I always enjoy these introductory videos, even though they’re frequently old and low-budget.
After the video presentation, we explored the visitor center’s exhibits covering history, geology, and the local flora and fauna. We chatted with the park rangers about current conditions before grabbing a map and eagerly setting off to our first destination: Sulphur Works.
Sulphur Works
Sulphur Works is probably most visitors’ first stop after the Visitor’s Center, both because of its close proximity, and because it’s the most easily accessed hydrothermal area in the park. It did not disappoint!
Within minutes of parking Ogre, we were standing in front of a gurgling mudpot! I haven’t spent a Summer work-camping in Yellowstone National Park, unlike Tom, so I think I was significantly more impressed than he was. I loved it. It felt like standing over a witch’s rotting cauldron, and I kept waiting for her to creep up behind me and whisper “double, double, toil and trouble!”
Hydrothermal, meaning “hot water”, areas are visible rain and snow melt that have been heated by Lassen Peak’s subterranean molten rock. The ground around the Sulphur works area literally steamed, and I could feel the heat beneath me.
The hot mudpots were surrounded by bone-dry hills. I could see how the mud had cracked open in the heat. Sulfur colored some areas a bright yellow, while oxidized metals created golden, orange, and red tones.
We began hiking the 1 mile trail to Ridge Lakes, but about halfway there we exchanged tired glances and decided to turn around and call it a day.
After our first taste of Lassen, we hopped back in Ogre and drove to a beautiful (and free) wild camping spot less than 10 minutes from the national park boundary. The geothermal area had us both craving egg salad sandwiches for some reason, and we were hungry!
