Lassen Peak Views

Lassen Peak, Meadow - Lassen National Park  2018

Lassen Peak, Lake Helen - Lassen National Park  2018

Some final views of Lassen Peak seen as Mike drove back to his campground.

Kings Creek Hike Return

One Way Trail (Steps) - Lassen National Park  2018

Fritos and Beer - Lassen National Park  2018

Hiking back to the trailhead one can either retrace one's steps, or take a one-way, strenuous, vertical stone staircase that parallels the creek. Mike took the staircase, a little bit at a time, stopping frequently for photos (good excuse for rest stops). Some fellow hikers finally appeared.

Up at the top he found a nice spot by the creek for his lunch.

Monday Deer Blogging

Deer - Lassen National Park  2018

Near Bench Lake.

The animal somehow couldn't bring himself to turn and look at the photographer. Sometimes they'll look at you, but usually they won't.

Bench Lake

Bench Lake - Lassen National Park  2018

Trail - Lassen National Park  2018

Mike took a side trail through pines and manzanita up to Bench Lake, pretty but very shallow. Early in the morning: no one else on the trail.

Kings Creek Falls

Kings Creek  Waterfall - Lassen National Park  2018

Kings Creek and Plant - Lassen National Park  2018

Most trails in the park were closed due to snow. The trail to this waterfall was one of the few ones open in June.

The waterfall itself was hard to photograph - too much direct sun combined with very foamy water. Looking at images on the web, it seems that the most popular thing to do is to hike to the bottom and take a "blurred water" photo.

Lassen National Park Photos - 2001

False Hellebore - Lassen National Park  2001

Mike last visited the park in 2001, hiking to the top of Lassen Peak with his Minolta 35mm camera. Looks like there was some smoke in the distance.

Lassen Peak 1 - Lassen National Park  2001

Lassen Peak 2 - Lassen National Park  2001

Lassen Peak

Lassen Peak - Lassen National Park  2018

While driving to his trailhead Mike saw several nice snow-covered Lassen Peak vistas.

This photo was taken with an Olympus E-M1.2 camera and a Panasonic 12-60mm lens.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Sulphur Fumes - Lassen National Park  2018

Mike was on his way to do a dayhike in the park; as soon as you enter the park's south entrance you start to smell sulphur. They must have structured the route so as to achieve that effect.