July 26, 2015 - Lassen Peak and Cold Boiling Lake

Title: July 26, 2015 - Lassen Peak and Cold Boiling Lake

Description:
John and Cathey need to figure out a better sleep schedule. They are sleeping a cabin about a half an hour down the road, so they must have gotten up even earlier than my 5:15 time. Sherri and I have a couple hard boiled eggs given to us by Sharon M. Much faster and less noisy than the oatmeal we were planning on having.

Trail head: Lassen Peak Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Lassen Peak

Destination: Lassen Peak

Distance: 5 miles ¹

Start Time: 6:40am

End Time: noon

Elevation Rise: 2,000'

Maximum Elevation:

 ¹My GPS was low on batteries. The mileage and elevations are based upon the standard information for the Lassen Peak Trail.

Right at 6 they come by the campground and we drive up to the trail head. which is another half an hour away.  It is much cooler and winder this morning than yesterday. Of course, we are starting 2+ hours earlier. Still, I start off with a T-shirt, I have my windbreaker in my pack. But I suspect I will be sweating soon enough. 

Cathey and Sherri at start

John must have a feeling of freedom as he just charges ahead. Sherri is walking with Cathey, so if I do not want to be left behind,  I had better get my act together and get a moving.

John and Lassen Peak

This is the same path as yesterday, so I will save you from the groanings and  moanings of getting to old for this, even though I am the youngest of the four of us.

We go up and John and I talk a lot on the way up. John plays a conversation game with me. As we reach each switchback,  we talk. Then he will say, and there is one more thing, which he will tell me at the next turn. Certainly makes the trail go faster, and keeps up the interest. John's stories, though, does not need too many devices to maintain interest.

We make it to the end of the NPS trail on top of Lassen. When I describe the "trail" to the high peaks of Lassen, it was decided we have had a good hike, why spoil it? So we rest, take pictures, and try to stay out of the cold by hiding behind a rock outcropping. Then it is time to do the descent.

Cathey and Sherri at Top

We were within the first ten people on top of Lassen. But now starting to come down, there are hoards of people.. Guess it is a good thing to be early-John and Cathey may be wise in this matter, even though I sort of would have liked to have been in the sleeping bag a little bit longer.

The good thing about going down is that all of the sights we had coming up, we can now enjoy. Brokeoff Mtn shows a bit of grace in front of us; Lake Helen with its cool blue waters looms larger as we come down. Even though the trail is steep, there is something refreshing about this descent this morning.

When we get down, we say our goodbye's to John and Cathey. It has been awhile since I have hiked with them and it was good being with them. They are heading to Stockton to be with their daughter, but we are going back up the road to look for a hike.

Wise Ones (or Guys)

Sherri on remains of a glacier

John and Brokeoff Mountain

On way down

Brokeoff Mountain

Trail head: Kings Creek Picnic Area

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Cold Boiling Lake Trail

Destination:  Cold Boiling Lake

Actual Destination: Crumbaugh Lake

Distance: 2.58 miles ²

Start Time: 

End Time: 

Travel Time: ( mph)

Moving Time: 1:05 ( mph)

Elevation Rise: 200'

Maximum Elevation: 7,200'

^{2The mileage is based upon trackings by PDF Maps.}

After leaving John and Cathey, we went back up the road looking for a lunch place. Found the picnic area at Kings Creek. So we grabbed a table and had our peanut butter, Nutella, and Ritz crackers. Afterwards, I take a quick nap. I cannot say I felt terribly more refreshed and definitely not energetic-actually Sherri looks more energetic than I am. But I would also like to explore the area.

So since we are at this area and Kate and gang were talking about Cold Boiling Lake, we might at well see it for ourselves. We move the car so that someone else can park in the picnic area and then start out. But a few steps later someone asks a few questions about the area, and of course, when has a lack of knowledge ever stopped me from answering? After giving the lady some wonderful advice, I am sure, we go ahead and start on. The trail is not too bad and Sherri and I enjoy the walk over to Cold Boiling Lake.

Bubbling water in a grassy pomd

The thing about this lake is not so much that it is boiling, but more has a flatulence problem. There is a lot of gasses escaping through the water causing the bubbling effect. Also at one time this lake must have been a lot larger and the gasses would have been coming through the lake. But now there are more ponds or puddles surrounded by grass getting gassed-sorry, just could not resist.

Cold Boiling Lake

Crumbaugh Lake

We pick a nice place to watch some ducks on the lake, while others go by.  It is quite enjoyable just laying by the lake, relaxing. There is one group of about 15 going on to Bumpass Hell. So after a quick discussion, we decide to go the other direction: Crumbaugh Lake.


The trail down is a moderate, but short downhill. We pass by some meadows and enjoy the freshness of them before they turn brown for the summer.  A couple of people come up the trail, but not many. When we get to the, we have it all to ourselves.

For so little effort, we have hiked harder for worse places. The grasses blowing in the wind, corn lilies framing the lake and you through in a mountain background, you have a nice place to stop and enjoy a snack. And that is what we did, along with just lie down for awhile.

Corn lily and lake

Grass, wind and lake

The trip back is just a retreating along the same trail. Except it is not the same. We get to be treated to the scene of a cinnamon-blonde bear scrounging along a log, looking for food. When he notices us, he wanders away, but we see him again just on the other side of the tree. At that point, even though we are a ways away, he tires of us and runs away.

Brown Bear Friend

The rest of the return trip is uneventful. When we get back to camp around a quarter to five, nobody is there. So we go on to Manzanita Lake and take a shower at the store. Refreshing. Makes me feel almost human. When we get back, some of the remainder from our group is there. It is a semi-community cooking tonight. Cathey had given us left over chicken from last night's pot luck. So we fry it in oil and bacon. Then put a BBQ sauce on it and every body thinks this is a good piece of eating.

After dinner, we sit/stand around and talk for a while I notice at sunset that there are clouds gathering and put out the alert that it may rain tonight. So we batten down the tents, clean up the camp and hit the bags. Just after I get settled in, it starts to rain. It rained pretty good for about 20 minutes and then stopped-just enough to make sure I was not lying.

July 25, 2015 - Lassen Peak

Title: July 25, 2015 - Lassen Peak

Trail head: Lassen Peak Parking Lot

Hike Info:

Type:  Hiking

Trail: Lassen Peak Trail

Destination:  Lassen Peak

Distance:   5 miles ¹

Start Time:8:50am

End Time:  2:30pm

Travel Time: 5:40

Elevation Rise: 2,000'

Maximum Elevation: 10,457'

 ¹These mileages and stuff is from the official trail information from NPS. My GPS is low on battery so I did not bring it.

Description:

It is around 6 and time to get up. Lewis is taking us on a hike up Mt Lassen and I suspect he will be pretty punctual, after all he is a lawyer (a pleasant one, and a fine hiker at that).  We have pancakes for breakfast and get cleaned up. Right at 7:30 we are ready and Lewis rounds up the troops who want the adventure to climb the mountain. There are 16 of us total--nine who will be more like jack rabbits and seven who will enjoy breathing heavily the elevated air.

Lewis giving instructions

We get to the Mt Lassen parking lot around 8:30. It always takes a few minutes to get everybody organized and today is no exception. I am designated the sweep, which in reality is recognition of my talent for going slowly.

Start of a long 2.5 miles

Eye of the Vulcan

But there are several of us who have banded together and will make it up the mountain. The first .4 of a mile goes fast. Why do we know that it is .4 of a mile? Not because I am wearing a GPS, that is for sure-I could not find replacement batteries so the GPS is about dead. But there is a sign which announces that it is so, even though it seems shorter. I suspect the other 2.1 miles will go a lot slower.

But the other thing this sign says is that above us is a rock formation called the Eye of the Vulcan. No, it is not where Mr Spock from Star Trek is buried as I was saying up on the mountain, but a hole which lava poured through during an eruption Still it is both fascinating to be watched by the mountain, and I must say, a little bit eery.

But we continue on. As steep as this trail is, and we are going up pretty well, The Park Service has done a pretty good job with it. For the last four or five years, there has been restrictions on using the trail. Restrictions like it can be used only four days a year because they were reconstructing it. For that amount of time, I sort of thought the trail may be paved in gold. But I admit, this path was done well. I suspect that there was only a few modifications from the time when BF Loomis first created this trail.

Chari's Goal

Not the peak

Looking southwest from trail

Like a lot of upward trails, there is reason to stop and gawk. This one is no different.Not only do we get views of our objective, but also the surrounding area. We see Lake Helen close to the parking lot. Brokeoff Mountain loams in front of us a good part of our initial way up. When on the east side of the mountain, the Kings Creek drainage is spread before us. So there is much to ponder as we head up. I make use of every possible moment to ponder too.

Sherri on top

But we get to the top and enjoy the view. We see the nimble nine, ready to charge back down. But we are not-we want to enjoy the top of the world feeling. So our speedy friends return down the trail which we just came up for. They will be going on to further adventure.

Lassen Crater

Now the top is sort of a misnomer. Yes it is the top, but not really the top. The trail ends and there are interpretive signs there, telling about what we are seeing. There is also the crater which we can go down into. But an eighth of a mile away is the east peaks which are 60-80' taller than where we are. Many of our gang  want to ascend like others have. So we set out for the top of the top. But it becomes quickly evident where the NPS trail ends and the social trail begins.  We do make it to the top and take some pictures and celebrate the achievement.

Now I am not very wild about going down this slope. Lots of scree and loose rock can come down this pretty steep slope. While only a class 2 route, it could be interesting in the right circumstances. The good thing about helping others over areas you have concerns about is that you can stifle your own fears and concentrate on relieving the fears of others-sort of a natural relaxer. Through this all, we all got down safely.

Switchbacks and Lake Helen

Our group is not terribly fast going down. But for me, one of the good things is gaining a new perspective. Going up I have a tendency to be looking up at where we are going to go up to. But down down is so much more expansive. It seems like we have the whole world in front of us, and we do! At least the world around Lassen. It seems like there is a whole world before me which I am flying through, at least in my imagination.

Looking over the Kings Creek area

Glad we have poles to go down. Even better that the Park has reconditioned this trail. Sort of frosts me to see someone, not in our group, cutting switchbacks. I know as a Christian I am not be vengeful or wanting too much justice-I am in much more need of grace and mercy than judgement. yet when I see someone doing inconsiderate things like this, I think I would not mind if they broke a leg or something. But then there is that rescue thing which puts others in danger. So best hope these switchback cutters see the light.

Sherri and Vic

Off of my soapbox now and on down the trail. Our group of seven is getting a bit tired. Even though it is only about 2:30 when we get down, we all feel we are not up to doing Bumpass Hell today. So we beat a leisurely return back to Lost Creek Group Campground to rest and enjoy conquering the mountain.

Tonight is potluck night. So each has a contribution. I will saw that either the food was really good or our hiking worked up our appetites. All of the food was tasty and we all had enough to eat. Our contribution was Cowboy Casserole, first introduced to us by Lyndsey from REI Fresno. So it was time for good conversation around the campfire.

A ranger does show up and finds a quiet social group enjoying time together around a campfire. The only concern he found with us was needing to put food away in one of the camps, i.e., bears would not feast on our food. After that, he and I talked about the Park and where to backpack and stuff. Enjoyable and informative talk. He also had a discussion with Karol as well.

John and Cathey will be trying Mt Lassen tomorrow morning. They will come by the camp around 6am and see if anybody is going. I told them I would go with them. Sherri also volunteered to go up again. What kind of fools are we? Hiking Fools. Time for bed time for an early get up time.

Lassen Crater on top of the Peak

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Lassen Peak

Coming down: Sharon, Christ, Vic, Elizabeth, Chari, Sherri

Lake Helen

Sherri and Chris going up

Places: CA-Lake Helen

Lake Helen-8,169' (Lassen Peak)   
(40.4685493, -121.5104375)

Description:
The lake is named for Helen Tanner Brodt who in 1864 became the first woman to reach the summit of Lassen Peak. It has the reputation of being the snowiest place in California. From wikipedia

From GNIS, In Lassen Volcanic National Park, on the southwest slope of Mount Helen and 2.4 km (1.5 mi) south of Lassen Peak.  Also called Saphire Lake: Day, Arthur L. and E.T. Allen. The Volcanic Activity and Hot Springs of Lassen Peak. Washington, D.C. : Carnegie Institution of Washington, 1925. p55

Trips:

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References:

•  Wikipedia
•  Park Vision web site-Lakes of Lassen
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Pictures:

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