Volcanic Legacy

The Cinder Cone in LVNP, photo above, exemplifies this type of volcano better than any other in the country. The cone erupted most recently in the 1600's creating the Fantastic Lava Flows and Painted Dunes. The lava flows created a natural dam which made Snag Lake, so named for the snags (dead trees) still sticking out of the lake when people first set eyes upon it following its creation. The Painted Dunes, photo below, formed when volcanic ash fell onto still hot lava and was oxidized. They are both beautiful and massive in scale, surrounding the Cinder Cone before giving way to the Fantastic Lava Flows.
The photo below depicts Mt. Lassen in the center, the largest mountain in the park, and obviously the centerpiece of Lassen Park. A plug dome volcano, Lassen last erupted in 1915. To Lassen's right Prospect Peak slowly rises up, a shield volcano which we climbed on our first day here at the park. The Cinder Cone can be seen to the left side, complete with the Fantastic Lava Beds in front of it. This photo incredibly displays three of the four types of volcano.When we first surmounted Prospect Peak, the goal was to orient all the maps and become familiar with the main peaks and landmarks in the park. We were hindered, however, by a thunderstorm complete with hail, and could not risk venturing above the tree line. A few days later, after work, I climbed the Cinder Cone. Unfortunately, my camera battery died taking the photo at the bottom, so I did not manage to capture the breathtaking views from the top. I do plan on making a repeat ascent, however, as the cone offers simply incredible views of both Butte and Snag lakes, the Fantastic Flows and Painted Dunes, Mt. Lassen, Red Cinder Cone, Hat Mountain, and several other incredible features such as the effects of some past forest fires.

So far, poor weather has followed us, with only one or two days free of rain. Most days the skys also deliver hail, the incredible variation in temperature and weather due to the parks orography. Our packs are usually filled mostly with extra layers and rain gear, along with the equipment we need such as 50 m tapes, GPS units, surface fuels photo books, diameter tapes, clinometers and hypsometers. More on all that later when I have a chance to write up exactly what we are doing day to day. PENGUINS ARE THE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!!!!