July 29 - Bumpass Hell (Lassen Natl Park - Part 1)

Sunny day with temps in the low 70s. Heading into Lassen to hike the Bumpass Hell Trail and the Terrace, Shadow, Cliff Lakes trail.

Thanks to a 6am breakfast at the hotel, I'm on the road by 6:30. Not sure how crowded the park will be but want to get Bumpass in early so I'm not doing the Lakes trail during the heat of the day.

On the drive in I slam on my breaks to miss a deer crossing the road. Her gal pal just stood on the opposite road watching.

And on the way into the park, a Jackrabbit scampers in front of my car only avoiding my car by a burst of speed.

At the gate, there is no ranger so I pass right thru.

The park is too shady for photos so I'm the 2nd car in the Bumpass parking lots. It's in the low 50s with a nice breeze.

I kill a little time checking out the volcano monitoring system and the views.

The trail is 2.6 miles RT with 300 ft elevation change. The trail starts around 8100 ft and climbs to 8400 ft before dropping 300 feet into the basin. Love climbin out of a hike (NOT)!

It's easy going hike. There's still a little bit of snow at the start of the trail. But I do pass some piles along the way. There are some great views along the way.

Passing a scree field, there is a Pika up there as I get a very brief view of him.

The comes a viewpoint.

Out of the viewpoint, I get turned around and start heading back to the TH. Oops! Thankfully, I catch myself quickly and continue in the right direction.

I reach the peak of the hike and start downhill. There's a viewpoint that I stop at briefly.

Then it's more down before reaching the boardwalk. I take a short spur trail to a viewpoint.

Before continuing thru Bumpass Hell. Lots of smoke, poofing noise, egg smells. The broadwalk completes a loop thru the basin.

I guess what I find in the basin: CA Tortoiseshells!

Time to start heading back up the hill and return to the parking lot.

Total: 1.94 miles, 338 ft X 2

Good hike to do a real "non-tourist" hike to Terrace Lakes.

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