Weekend in Lassen
Camping in pandemic is probably doning on the cape of being a “covidiot” for some. But we wanted to get fresh air and stick with our small social bubble – even while we camped. And so there we were – at Lassen Volcanic National Park, again after one year. This time around, we knew our way around the park, and camped at Manzanita Campground again. The day after Vacaville area was up in flames for a massive wildfire, we packed the car, and set out – partially ready to turn around if case may be.
We had one, and only one objective this time around. To scale Lassen peak and to have fun. Wait, is that two things? Nah…its one: to enjoy our time at LaVo.
Volcanic eruption in 1914 morphed the landscape as we know it, and LaVo is a treat for geologists, hikers, bikers, nature enthusiasts, and people hoping for any kind of activity level. Birds and wildflowers add the “omph” factor to the undulating landscape with its varying shades of minerals, soil and sulphur springs.
Scaling Lassen Peak
Towering at 10,457 ft. (from NPS website); the peak looks over the park, as a part of the Cascade range. Chaos Crags mount and other hillocks form an undulating landscape at the park. This has also contributed to the formation of numerous little lakes around the peak, that make for a scenic addition to the local ecology.
Way to the peak 
Just 0.5 miles to go! – But a demanding uphill climb 
As you climb further, the vegetation disappears and scorching dryness dominates the landscape 
Mt. Shasta at a distance 
Making wishes? 
Some tips for hiking at Lassen peak:
- Start early – the trail gets crowded by 8-9am, especially on the weekends. We started early at 6:30am, and were able to hike up at a leisurely pace, enjoy the views from the top of the peak and descend by lunch time.
- Breathe – A no-brainer probably, but at 8000 ft; air seems to thin out. Breathing deeply would really help ready your body for the long haul. Hiking with face masks on as a precaution for COVID-19, we found ourselves taking breaks and taking long breathe intermittently. When we were on the trail all by ourselves, we did carry on without the masks on 😉
- Take breaks and sip water – Another no-brainer, but taking short breaks and sipping some water goes a long way when hiking Lassen peak. The cold breeze at such heights makes it an artificial task to halt and sip some water, and I cannot overstate the importance of doing that. A few hikers who started climbing with us, went full-steam ahead initially, as they had underestimated the little tips for hiking to the top. Rangers at the park are super helpful with tips to prepare for the hike.
- Layer up – Instead of one heavy jacket, several layers of covering go a long way. You can take breaks and maybe take off a layer if you feel hot. The alternating play of cool breeze and sun may throw one off…but layering helps. And needless to say, hats help from feeling dehydrated due to the afternoon sun blazing at you.
- Snack at the top – “It is lonely at the top”, indeed in case of Lassen peak. Although, the loneliness in this case is much deserved solitude and a wonderful scenery around. The volcanic landscape appears as an artists pallete around. The lakes and foliage make for a great pattern to look at from the rocky outcrop of the peak. And if you make it to the top in good time, it is a good place to sit back and have a snack. Or maybe a protein bar or a muffin?! Replenishing sugars at the peak is a great idea before you start the descent.
Our climb to the top of Lassen peak was great! And the last 0.5 miles that look like a cakewalk, but aren’t; were also an easy climb with the tips above. The angular rocky top pf the peak is a great rock-climbing practice that offers great views of the valley below. Owing to the forest fires, the sky had a thick grey band of soot that hung at a distance. The blue of the sky, and that of the waters compensated for it, and we were in for interesting patterns around us.
Camping, hammocking and blue-jays
Birding was on our list. But the meal prep, enjoying the canopy of fir trees and relaxing in hammock occupied our three short days at the campsite. Blue-jays were our constant neighbors, sometimes serving as alarm clocks to get us out of our sleeping bags and hit the hikes for the day.
We camped at the Manzanita Lake Campground, next to the scenic lake where we kayaked on our last trip to LaVo. This time around, the lake had an otter family resident in the lake, and the campers were advised to stay off some areas of the lake. The walk around Manzanita lake was ideal for an evening stroll, but we longed for the starry skies that had enamored us last time. The forest fires in California had as if enveloped the sky with a layer of smoke, and the milky way that ran overhead, had now become a rare sight at LaVo. I am certain, that by next week, the star lit sky at Lassen will be back on view again 😀
It was calming to swing in the hammock while staring at the canopy of trees. This time, we felt like pro team for backpacking, with the amount of preparation we had with us. And I was trying to plant a seed of back-country (or dispersed) camping sometime soon. But we could not agree upon what is the correct balance for “into the wild” camping. We all were enthralled by nature in its various forms around us. The songbirds made our retreat in the woods a medley of morning and evening melodies. Deer often peeped at us through the woods, and I was once again reminded of my walks at Nose Hill Park. I was mentally oscillating between Canadian Rockies and volcanic mountains in California.
As we chatted over the bonfire about our hikes in the Himalayas, the Canadian Rockies, various National Parks in the US and mount Vesuvius in Italy last year, the nuanced geology around us became a focal point. Except the fold mountains of the Himalayas, we were drawn to the volcanic mountains, and also to the thrill of scaling active volcanoes! Maybe Mount Etna, Pacaya, Mt. Aso, or Santorini will be our next volcanic adventure! 😉
D.
 Our plans for things to do at LaVo were in constant flux. We started off with a plan to check-in at the camp-site, then hike at King’s creek and end the day with star-gazing after a short kayaking round at the lake. But it was already noon by the time we reached LaVo, and so all this would not be feasible. Hence, we came up with plan B: Kayaking at Manzanita first, then a sun-set hike at King’s Creek and then star-gazing in the night. BUT, some of us also wanted to check out a night photography workshop at Lassen. So, we settled on driving to the visitor’s center first, to gauge what would be the optimum course of action.
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