We could have easily stayed longer in this park since there were so many things to see and do, but we had scheduled only three nights and needed to get on to our next reservation.  We only had time for one hike and we chose one of the most popular hikes in the park, Bumpass Hell Trail.  This hike is only three miles round trip which sounds easy, but it is at an elevation of 8,400 feet and over rocky terrain. The last quarter mile there is a drop of 100 feet into a hydrothermal basin, which meant a steep 100 foot climb back out.

The day was beautiful with not a cloud in the sky and we arrived at the trailhead parking area early to avoid heat and crowds. From the parking lot we saw a huge balanced boulder. When

A balancing rock near the trailhead

glacier ice filled this area 10,000 years ago it carried vast quantities of rock down into the valley.  When the ice melted, rocks such as this were left behind.

The trail was narrow with a gradual climb and though rocky in places, was a fairly easy hike. From the trail we had a great view of Lassen Peak.

Bumpass Hell trail

Lassen Peak from the Bumpass Hell trail

As we reached the area where the trail drops steeply into the hydrothermal basin we could hear the steam escaping from the vents.  From a distance the sound reminded us of semi trucks.  In the basin there were boardwalks constructed to walk on and view the activity.  There were signs warning people to stay on the boardwalk since visitors who had ventured off the boardwalks for a closer view had been badly burned.  The park newsletter also warned of the dangers of being severely burned in the hydrothermal areas of the park.

View from the top of the trail before descending into the basin.

The hydrothermal basin is 16 acres of boiling pools, fumaroles, and mud pots.  This vent area is part of the 240,000 year old lava dome of Bumpass Mountain.  The highest recorded temperature here was 322 degrees!  And just like Sulphur Works, there was a strong smell of sulphur. 

On the right is Big Boiler the hottest fumarole in the world; steam measured as high as 322 F.

It took us about an hour to walk along the boardwalks and see all there was to see in this fascinating hydrothermal basin.  We climbed the steep trail out and once we reached the top the rest of the way to the car seemed easy.  We were glad when we made it back to the car since the day was heating up and it was time for lunch and some ice cold drinks from the cooler.  We were proud that we had made the hike at this elevation, the highest altitude hike either of us had ever done!

What a fascinating park Lassen Volcanic National Park turned out to be!