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Winter Giving Way To Summer At Lassen Volcanic National Park

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Published Date

June 16, 2019
Early summer is a great season to mix your sports at Lassen Volcanic National Park/NPS

Early summer is a great season to mix your sports at Lassen Volcanic National Park/NPS

With winter slowly but surely losing its grip on Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California, spring and summertime activities are ramping up at the park. The Lassen National Park Highway, for instance, is scheduled to open to through traffic on Saturday, June 22, at 4:30 p.m.

With the highway opening, visitors can expect to choose from springtime activities in the Manzanita Lake area or spring snow conditions in the Southwest Area of the park.

“We look forward to opening the park highway on the first weekend of summer,” said Superintendent Jim Richardson. “The park road crew and CalTrans worked faster than expected considering higher-than-average snow depths.”

The park highway is currently open to vehicles between the Northwest Entrance and Devastated Area (10 miles) and the Southwest Entrance and Lassen Peak (9 miles). Park staff are completing additional preparations and safety checks prior to the highway opening. The opening may be delayed by weather and/or open sections of the highway may close temporarily for adverse weather or conditions.

Sunny skies are in the forecast for the final week of the annual Hike and Bike the Highway opportunity. Hikers and bicyclists are welcome to enjoy the 14-mile section of highway between Lassen Peak and Devastated parking areas without vehicles prior to the highway opening. Visitors should exercise caution by staying alert for rockfall and icy patches, traveling in the lane farthest from a downward slope; and maintaining an appropriate speed. Visitors should also be aware of remaining heavy equipment on the road and occasional park vehicles, which are necessary for administrative functions.

Summer season kicks-off in the Manzanita Lake area Monday, June 17 with the daily opening of the Loomis Museum. Ranger-led programs begin June 21. Trails in the Manzanita Lake are mostly snow-free, making it the best option in the park for spring hiking.

Campgrounds are continuing to open as conditions allow. Butte Lake Campground and Warner Valley Campgrounds are open. Select sites at Warner Valley Campground are now reservable at lassenlodging.com. Juniper and Summit Lake Campgrounds will open on June 28 (conditions permitting). Juniper Lake road remains closed due to lingering snow.

Winter enthusiasts can enjoy spring skiing and snowshoeing between the Southwest Entrance and the Summit Lake area. All trails in this area require over-the-snow travel. There is approximately six feet of snow at both the Southwest Entrance (6700 feet elevation) and Summit Lake (7000 feet elevation) areas and deeper depths on and around Lassen Peak. Winter equipment such as skis, snowshoes, ice axe, crampons, and avalanche safety equipment are recommended.

The Bumpass Hell Trail is closed for a multi-year rehabilitation project. The project strives to improve the visitor experience by rehabilitating the trail, boardwalk, and waysides. The trail between Bumpass Hell parking area and the basin is expected to be complete and open in autumn, however the opening may be delayed by lingering snow or fall conditions. At this time, Sulphur Works is the best alternative to Bumpass Hell. Visitors can hike to additional hydrothermal areas in in the Warner Valley area. Learn more at go.nps.gov/lavo/bh.

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