We took a weekend trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park. I don’t think either of us realized how long it would take to get there or else we probably would have allowed more time. We also didn’t do much research in terms of selecting dates. Apparently after September 15, many of the campground facilities close for the winter. On the other hand, there were hardly any tourists/campers there, save for a bunch of camo-clad guys driving about in pickups with rifles hanging out the window and dead deer in the back. Much like the park, it was not something you’d expect to see in California. 
Subway caves — Twenty thousand years ago the ground broke apart and volcanic rock poured out. Cooling when exposed to the air, the top of a lava flow solidified stop while molten rock beneath continued to flow. The solid roof of the flow insulated the still hot magma, and acted as a conduit, carrying red-hot rock miles from its source. When exhausted all that remained was the cool solid rock conduits known as lava tubes, large enough to walk through
On our hike to cinder cone, we passed by the “Fantastic Lava Beds.” 
This hike kind of sucked bc as you can see, the trail was essentially black sand
In front of those lava beds again…fantastic! 
plant life still manages to grow
Painted dunes 
When I saw this from afar, I really did not want to go up. It looks taller in person, and I wasn’t sure what was on the other side of that trail.
sly led the way 
…and then the power of the walking sticks kicked in
I made it to the top first 
I think that’s Mt. Shasta?
At the top of cinder cone 
In the mid 17th century, a volcanic vent in this area began to expel small chunks of lava, which cooled in mid-air and fell back to earth to collect into a cone some 700 feet in height. Activity finally ceased when larger amounts of lava flowed up to the surface and eventually blocked the vent
There are 2 ridges (maybe more?) from 2 major explosions 
The area around the volcano. I don’t understand the science of it, but from the top of the volcano, you could hear people down at the bottom with absolute clarity–as in you could hear the crunching of the sand underneath their shoes
And now for my final act, I will attempt to descend into the mouth of the volcano
looking up at Sly 
After our hike, we sat for a while on the summit and ate some strawberries
Then we rushed back down the trail, back through the woods… 
…to catch the sunset at Manzanita Lake 
Dinner: roasted peppers, onion, garlic, italian chicken sausage and steak wrapped in tinfoil and heated over an open flame with a side of canned corn and canned beans
Next morning, we took the scenic ride through the devastated area. After Lassen’s last eruption, this entire area was completely devastated (hence the name). Almost 100 yrs later, it looks like a regular forest 
Our final hike: Bumpass Hell. It’s named after a guy. Imagine having that last name.
Bumpass Hell is the largest area containing geothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park, and is part of the region once covered by the ancient volcano Mount Tehama. Bumpass Hell, and Lassen National Park in general, has 3 of the 4 main types of geothermal feature (fumaroles, mudpots and hot springs); the only phenomena missing are geysers.
On the drive back to SF, we found Bartels Giant Burger — an unassuming little place with an interior that hasn’t changed since 1965. Quite possibly, the best burger I have ever eaten…cooked to perfection by a lady with a hairnet.
We still dream about that burger.
