Lassen Camping Trip: Volcanoes, Warm Weather and Snow Play

On June 28 it rained in California. This was a big deal! On record it had never rained in California on that day. And it rained all day. Rain in California means snow in the mountains.

Our trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park was complicated and complimented by the June 28 snow. In Lassen they were contending with 30 foot snow drifts, which meant that much of the main road through the park was closed, and many of the hiking trails. The ranger told us the reason was the warm weather, it was in the 70s, contributed to avalanches at higher elevations. It was recommended that we walk a mile or so in on the neatly paved, but closed roads.  Considering our boys patience for longer hikes at this age, it wasn't a big problem. So although they didn't want cars on the roads, the closed road became our hiking trail.

We stayed at the KOA in Shingletown 30 minutes from the North entrance to Lassen.  The North side had far less snow, so more was open. On our first day we explored this area of the park, and on our way home we visited the South area of the park. This required maneuvering through country roads and small towns to drive around the circumference of the park -- it took us about 90 minutes.

Lassen is an exceptionally beautiful park. The volcano blew in both 1914 and 1915, and today there is still bubbling, acidic water underneath the dry cracked ground in the sulfur works. In the area you also can see volcanic rocks that traveled as far as 30 miles from Lassen. The road let us get close to much of the what the park has to offer, but it will be worth it to visit in September when snow is not a problem.