Hwy. 89 through Lassen Park will open to traffic Saturday, July 16th. This is the second latest opening for the park road in 30 years, in 1995 it did not open until July 21.  The earliest it has opened since 1980 is April 28th, this was in 1990.  The latest it has stayed open is November 21st.

Weekend of July16th is the last weekend for skiing and snowshoeing on Lassen Peak for the season.  Trail crews will begin work to rehabilitate Lassen Peak Trail for the second season of the Reach the Peak project.

Many of the park trails still have snow coverage, including Bumpass Hell and Brokeoff Mountain trails.  Snow conditions can be icy in the mornings and slushy and slippery in the afternoons.  Hiking in the snow-covered areas requires sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles.  Ice ax, crampons and helmet are recommended for safety.

Kings Creek Falls trail is not accessible due to snow and Dream Lake is closed due to restoration project underway.

There are still many hikes open for visitors wishing to avoid snowy areas.  Two areas outside of Lassen Park are the Subway Caves and Spatter Cone hike, which both are in the Lassen National Forest.  At the NW part of park Manzanita Lake is open.  South of Manzanita Lake is Hot Rock which amazes me every time I think of how high it had to blow from Lassen Peak to land where it did. The Devastated Area has great signage and views. NE corner of park has Cinder Cone and Butte Lake.  From the top of Cinder Cone you have views of Painted Dunes, Snag Lake and Lassen Peak.  SE entrance of the park has Boiling Springs Lake and Devils Kitchen.  If you contact Drakesbad  ahead of time you can make reservations for lunch or dinner.   If you want to see part of the park via horseback Drakesbad offers trail rides. Willow Lake is one of California most unusual lakes and it is the Warner Valley area outside of the Park, in the Lassen National Forest.

If you enjoy hiking it is time to make plans to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park.  For more information you may call the park at 530-595-4480 or call us at St. Bernard Lodge at 530-258-3382.

Lassen Park will be a cool summer retreat from the valley this holiday weekend for visitors looking to camp, hike, fish,picnic, kayak, and even play in the snow. The park has a wonderful variety of activities for visitors because of the differing elevations in the park. The main road through the park will not be completely open until July 8. At this time it is open ten miles in on the north side of park to the Devastated Area and seven miles to the Bumpass Hell Trailhead parking area from the Southwest Entrance. Hikers to Lassen Peak will find that it requires an ice ax, crampons and a helmet for safety. It will be an excellent weekend for spring skiing and snowshoeing in the higher elevations.

Fourth of July weekend the park will be offering special programs, visitors are welcome to attend programs featuring former Lassen Volcanic National Park interpretation rangers. More information can be found on the park website at htttp://www.nps.gov/lavo

If you need a great place to eat breakfaast, lunch or dinner just call ahead for reservations at the St. Bernard Lodge 530-258-3382.

Lassen Volcanic Park on June 18, 2011

Lassen Volcanic National Park Road is now open to Bumpass Hell parking area at the SW entrance, Devastated Area at the North entrance, Road to Butte Lake and Cinder Cone is open and Warner Valley road into Drakesbad is open. Road crews are working to have Hwy. 89 through the park open for fourth of July weekend.  http://www.stbernardlodge.com/facebook or park website both have road updates.

Right now is a popular time for spring skiing or snowshoeing. Bodfish Quiet Mountain Sports in Chester rents cross country skis and snowshoes. Mill Creek Resort rents snowshoes. This is a great time to try cross country skiing or snowshoeing while the weather is warm and the park still has lots of snow.

Lassen peak is open to over-the-snow travel until trail crews are able to begin work for the season which will be the second year of Reach the Peak trail rehabilitation project. Access to the peak will be limited to the following dates this summer: July 1 to July 4; August 13 & 14, and September 2 to September 5. If you want to make it to Lassen Peak this is the time to do it with over-the-snow travel conditions.

Ranger-led programs are kicking off on Friday June 17th and will continue through Labor Day weekend. There are programs for visitors of all ages. For a program schedule check the park web site or the summer newspaper for the park.

Weather conditions can change quickly in the park be prepared for possible cold and snowy conditions. Dress in layers, bring blankets, food, water, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Lassen Volcanic National Park entrance fees will be waived April 16 to 24 with added snowhoe hikes in celebration of National Park Week.

On Saturday April 23, bring your family to Lassen Park to celebrate Junior Ranger day. Junior Rangers can earn a special Junior Ranger Patch by completing the discovery hunt at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.

Any kids earning thr special Junior Ranger Patch will save 50% on Easter Brunch at the St. Bernard Lodge on April 24th. Call early for reservations, 530-258-3382.