Lassen Volcanic National Park is not as famous in comparison with other national parks. It is located in the north central part of California, at the southern end of the Cascade Mountains. It is one of the most intriguing parks of Northern America. It is the only national park among the 48 states that has a volcano. It last erupted in the 20th century.
The park is spread over an area of 160,000 acres. It contains spectacular mountains, lakes, creeks, and elevations, which range from 5000 to 10,000 feet. The park has ample trails. The park consists of features that are characteristic of volcanoes.
Lassen Peak, which is a volcano above 10,457 feet, is the centerpiece of the park. It can be seen from Manzanita Lake. There is a stone entrance sign along the southwest area of the park, which was built in 1931. It is known as Raker Memorial.
The park is a living example of volcanism. It consists of all four types of volcanoes present on earth: stratovolcanoes, volcanic domes, shield volcanoes, and cinder cones. There are also plenty of hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, vents, and other geothermal formations. There are many areas that faced the brunt of volcanic activity in the past, including Chaos Crags and Chaos Jumbles.
Lassen Peak drew scores of visitors during the second decade of the 20th century. Lassen erupted on numerous occasions from 1914 to 1917. On various occasions it has expelled steam, gas, lava, and hot rocks. The northeast part of the mountain was scoured by the eruptions in 1915. This resulted in mudflows and pyroclastic flow. Following these two eruptions, many areas were left barren.
Large crowds can be a dampener to outdoor vacations. Hence, it is a good idea to trek lesser-known parks. These parks tend to be cheaper than the Yellowstones or Yosemites.
Lassen National Park, located in Florida, is one such park. It is five-hour journey north of San Francisco. The park is home to steaming fumaroles, boiling pools, and other mud pots. Other popular activities include horseback riding, fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking. They offer wonderful views of the Cascade and High Sierra mountains.
The park comprises eight campgrounds. The Drakesbad Guest Ranch provides rustic accommodation for its 13 cabins and six lodge rooms. In addition, there is also a restaurant and a spring-fed swimming pool.
For adults, the lodging rates begin from $155, while for children aged two to twelve, they begin from $85. The package includes daily meals. There are plenty of lodges, cabins, and B&Bs that suit every budget.
Fri, Apr 16, 2010
Family Destinations