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Labor in the Cascades

Labor Day weekend.  Last hurrah of the summer days in Northern America.  We decided to spend a couple of the sunny days hiking the mountains that make Lassen Volcanic National Park about 120 miles due north east of San Francisco.

Located in Mineral, CA, it is named for a Danish immigrant and the tallest peak at 10,500 ft is Mt Lassen.  The volcano is the southernmost of the chain of volcanoes that inhabit the Cascade range stretching from British Columbia in Canada to Northern California.

Volcanic because the entire landscape happens to be situated on an active Pacific Ring of Fire with the last eruption only a 100 years ago.  There are several geo-thermal vents in the park area that showcase the earth's amazing power and yet only yards away is pristine alpine lakes formed of melting snow.

The best part of this hike was that inspite of gasoline being at its lowest in a decade there was not a mad rush on the highways and byways as we drove to and from this mount.  Furthermore the weather in the valleys was a scorching 100 F but in the high altitudes it was a pleasant 60.

We were able to complete a few hikes within the park area - the longest being close to 4 miles to see a waterfall made by the merging of two different creeks.
Light up Diorama showing various peaks in the Visitor Center (SW entrance at the NP)

To hike or not to hike - decision time

Mill Creek Falls - well worth the trek

It must be plentiful when it rains

Sulphur dioxide or global warming? Vent in Lassen NP

Grey mud bath? Not exactly - 1200 F cooker letting off steam - part of Pacific Ring of Fire

Yards away from the cauldron - Lake Helen and Vulcan's Eye (etched in the mount)

Highest navigable point in the park - ah its clean and fresh here!
After all the hiking and inhaling of beautiful clean air at the summit we headed back home the next morning but did a 50 mile detour off I 5 to visit one of the University of California campus towns of Davis along the I 80.

Davis which is an agricultural town has the second oldest UC campus and it is a sight to behold.  The campus incorporates a green belt along the shores of a creek and a series of lakes that serve as habitat for visiting birds and other species.

Putah Creek - a tranquil diversion on the way home - Davis, CA

What u looking at?

Crazy Sculptures, Davis. CA

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