The Underrated National Park In Northern California Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
There are so many people who know and love Lassen Volcanic National Park here in Northern California that it is hard to call it underrated, but if you compare it to the much more popular parks in this state, like Yosemite and Death Valley, you’ll be amazed at the relative lack of crowds. The dramatic landscape and volcanic activity are just as beautiful, but also less crowded, than the overwhelming busy Yellowstone, and it’s located right here in our state!
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The park is home to active volcanoes and hot springs that are available to see year-round. It's great for avid hikers, with more than 150 miles of trails.
Brokeoff Mountain, which was once known as Mt. Tehama before the volcano blew, sits just to west of Mt. Shasta. At one point in time, it was 1000 feet higher than Mt. Shasta.
The Caldera Rim of Cinder Cone is another remarkable landmark. Cinder Cone and the Fantastic Lava Beds, are about 10 miles northeast of Lassen Peak. This is the cite of a cinder cone volcano and associated lava flow field that last erupted about 1650. It created a series of basaltic andesite to andesite lava flows known as the Fantastic Lava Beds.
Be sure to stay on the path and boardwalks, like this one at Bumpass Hell. The temperatures of these waters are scalding and potentially life threatening.
Lake Helen is just another of the incredible vista points, and a great place to snowshoe or Nordic ski to in the winter. The snow melt is just breathtaking.
Jill is a freelance writer from a small Northern California town and lives in the Sierra Nevada mountains. If you have an idea for an Only In Northern California story, email her at jsanford@onlyinyourstate.com.
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