EUREKA, CA – Earlier this week we traveled to the north end of California’s Central Valley to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park, the largest area of geothermal activity in the lower 48 states outside of Yellowstone.
During our time in north central California, we parked the RV in the backyard of Ken and Lisa Michaud on their one-acre farm south of Redding. We know the Michaud’s from Lisa’s time at Grace OPC in Vienna about a decade ago. During our stay, we enjoyed meals and family time with this dear Christian couple and their two darling kids.
On Tuesday, our last full day there, Elizabeth and I drove about 60 miles east to Lassen Volcanic N.P. The park is centered on Lassen Peak, the site of a major volcanic eruption in May 1915. The volcano remains active although currently dormant, with steaming fumaroles and boiling mud pots in the south end of the park.
While early May was a great time to visit Yosemite, it was less than optimal for Lassen Volcanic park. Much of it lies at 5,000 feet or more above sea level, so most of its main road and many of its trails were still closed because of snow and boulders.
We were only able to drive about a mile into the park from the southwest entrance, but that was far enough to view the “Sulphur Works.” This area features steam vents and a bubbling caldron of mud exuding the rotten egg smell caused by sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Still photos don’t do justice to the geothermal activity, so here’s a video:
And here’s a photo and description from the U.S. Geological Survey of the May 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak, also known as Mount Lassen. Red Bluff, where the photo was taken, is just down the road from where we were staying.
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On Wednesday we climbed over the mountains to the cloud-shrouded historic lumber port of Eureka, CA, where we plan to stay until the middle of next week. The city is within easy driving distance of California’s Redwood national and state parks.
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