Lassen National Park - September 2009

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I'll make this brief, as I have a thousand and one things to do tonight (and want to get this posted). Great camping trip in Lassen. Second time I've been there, the first time with my dad. I stayed 4 days, 3 nights of solo camping in Manzanita campground near the northern entrance to the park.

Lassen Volcanic National park is one of the lesser known National Parks. It was the site of a 1914 eruption and evidence is quite visible throughout the park. That being said, it's a beautifully green and scenic park, offering some great views and photographic opportunities.

The campgrounds are top notch, as you'd expect from a National Park. Manzanita Lake has great campsites and a small general store (in case you forgot any critical items, like marshmallows). The lake itself is an easy 1.5 mile loop and offers great views of Lassen and local wildlife. There are bears in the park, so the normal precautions are necessary (did not see any, but heard one in my camp Tuesday night).

In terms of hikes, I did Bumpass Hell and the Cinder Cone. I would recommend both. Both are fascinating examples of the volcanic history (and present) of Lassen and incredibly scenic as well. Bumpass Hell trailhead is right off the main road through the park, but Cinder Cone requires an hour drive from Manzanita Lake (6 miles of which are down a well-maintained dirt road). For those in better shape than I, I've heard great things about climbing Lassen itself as well as nearby Brokeoff Mountain. I didn't fish at all this trip, but Manzanita lake offers some great fly-fishing opportunities.

Mike's Recommendations (if you decide to visit):

• When to visit: I've been there in July and in September. Avoid going too soon, as the park is snowed in (heavily) in the winter. While there in July, the peak was covered in snow. Unsure of crowds during peak season, but it's mostly empty after labor day, especially mid-week.
  
  
• Where to Camp: Both times I've been to Lassen, I've camped at Manzanita Lake Campground. And both times, I've been very happy. Imagine the quality of Yosemite without the crowds. Plus, you're near Manzanita Lake, which is fun short hike.
  
  
• Campground Reservations: You don't need them in the off-season and I always enjoy shopping around for my campsite (as far away from others as possible). Loop D at Manzanita is first-come, first-served.
  
  
• Bears: Each campsite is provided with bear lockers. Use them. I heard bears in my campsite at night. Recommend putting toothpaste, deodorant, etc in the bear locker as well (if only so you don't regret it when you hear grunting next to your tent that night).
  


• Advanced Hikes: If you're in good shape, consider Mt. Lassen Peak and/or Brokeoff Mountain. Heard great things about both from friends, but never done either myself.
  


• Bumpass Hell Hike : 3 miles roundtrip. Moderate hike with some great views. Plus, you get ot see the most hydro-thermally active part of the park. Safe for kids, as long as they stay on the decking surrounding the main area.
  


• Cinder Cone Hike: 4.4 miles roundtrip. Strenuous, as you're hiking in loose rock, most of it uphill. Don't let the 700 foot elevation change fool you. This hike kicked my tail. If you only hike to the base and back, it could qualify as "moderate". Also recommend starting early, as it's an hour's drive from Manzanita lake to the trailhead at Butte Lake, including 6 miles down a dirt road to the trailhead. You also want to start early, so you aren't hiking up the side of the cinder cone in the heat of the day (with no shade). Butte lake has campsites as well.
  


• Manzanita Lake: Easy 1.5 mile roundtrip. Great, easy, short hike with outstanding wildlife viewing and beautiful views of Lassen reflected in the lake on a still day.
  

Enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions!

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Individual Photos (130 photos)

Driving Directions (courtesy of Google Maps)

Lassen Main Page(www.nps.gov/lavo)

Campgrounds

Reservations


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Hat Creek and Pit River 2009 Trip

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I spent five days and four nights in a rented cabin in the Burney area of California (about 1.5 hours northeast of Redding) on a fishing/golfing/photography vacation. Went with my Dad and two of his buddies (Mike Gorski from Portland and Russ La Hive from Pleasanton). All were pretty mellow guys, so it made for a very fun, relaxing trip (especially consider how insane my job has been with the H1N1 outbreak response).

Primary fishing locations were along Hat Creek (The Meadows and The Barrier Dam) and the Pit River (Powerhouse #3 and #4). The first night we fished Hat Creek about 100 yards from our cabin. Got a few small ones. Second night, my compatriots fished The Meadows while I photographed. Few fish caught, but tons of fish rising. I got some good shots. We also saw a mountain lion on our drive out. He dropped to a crouch as we rounded a bend in the road, the leapt off the road and disappeared. Amazing moment for all of us.

I fished one day at the Pit River Powerhouse #3, then photographed one day. Very productive place, but only room for a few people to fish. We caught a number of fish between 8 - 15 inches. If you fish there, be prepared to lose a lot of rigs, as there are numerous hazards underwater.

We spent two evenings fishing the Barrier Dam on Hat Creek. Beautiful place with a lot of insect activity just at sunset. I chose to take photos instead of fishing. Russ spent 30 minutes at sunset on the first night landing a 20 inch rainbow. We were starting to think he'd been eaten by the mountain lion we'd seen previously (or had gotten lost). The second trip was where I stumbled across (almost literally) a 4 foot bull snake which I photographed. For the squeamish, you may want to close your eyes after the lizard photos.

Spent one morning golfing at Fall River Mills Golf Course. Great course and fairly inexpensive. Highly recommend it to golfers. I managed to shoot 116 after not playing for 5 years (and that was 3-4 putting each hole).

Overall a great trip with a great bunch of guys. Highly recommend this area for fly-fishermen, golfers and photographers alike.

Mike's Recommendations (if you decide to visit):

• Where to Stay: We stayed a small rental house in the tiny town of Cassel. As soon as I get the info from my dad, I'll post it here. Many fishing lodges in the area.
  


• Prettiest Fishing Spot: Prettiest fishing place is The Meadows at Hat Creek. You won't catch anything, but you'll see tons of fish rising and the scenery is incredible, especially at sunset.
  


• Most Productive Fishing Spot: Most productive fishing spot was at the base of Lake Briton Dam (aka Pit #3 Powerhouse). Not very attractive and can only fish about 3 people max, but consistently catch fish here, and decent size ones.
  


• Best All Around Fishing Spot: The Barrier Dam is the best all around fishing spot, in terms of beauty, wildlife and good fishing.
  


• Golf: If you're a golfer, I highly recommend Fall River Mills Golf Course (see link below). Great local course and relatively cheap ($45 incl. shared cart and lunch). Plus the waitress at the club house was way cute.
  

Enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions!

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Click Here For Full Screen Slideshow (recommended)

Individual Photos (94 photos)

Driving Directions (courtesy of Google Maps)

Map to Powerhouse #3

Map to The Meadows on Hat Creek

Map to the parking area for The Barrier Dam on Hat Creek (Barrier Dam is downstream 0.5 mile northeast)

Angelina's at The Rex (Very good, but pricey, food in downtown Burney)

Fall River Mills Golf Course

Clearwater Lodge

Burney Mountain Guest Ranch

Burney Falls (Visited during a previous trip - amazing waterfall!)

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03-20-09 - Yuba River (near Owsleys Bar)

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Just a quick blog this time. Head north on Highway 70 from Davis/Sacramento last Friday to fish/photograph the Yuba River outside Marysville. I chose to photograph instead of fish, as my thumb was still stitched up from an unfortunate encounter with a bread knife the week before.

The river itself is sparse, but quite beautiful. It was flowing extraordinarily low (700 CFS), which allowed us to cross the river. Learned an interesting trick from my father: You cross a river upstream of a riffle. The riffle is the shallowest point, which it makes sense to cross, but it's also moving the fastest there. The trick is to skirt the edge of the riffle, in the deeper water, which is not flowing as fast. Amazing how much difference this makes. Do keep in mind that the Yuba is normally not cross-able this time of year when river flows are normal.

While my dad fished, I trekked out across the flood plain and came across the largest beaver dams I'd ever seen. There were multiple dams at various points in the side channel and were holding back huge amounts of water. Never saw actual beavers, but it was fun to photograph their handiwork, especially from a ridge line I hiked up to.

Only actual wildlife I came across to photograph was some turkey vultures which were circling overhead. There are always vultures circling overhead on the Yuba. Makes me wonder how many dead things are out there. They're always fun to photograph with the long lens, and I had the unique opportunity of photographing them from the ridge, where I was at roughly their same height. I also shot a few photos of what I believe to be a predator drone overhead, flying out of nearby Beale Air Force Base. Fairly certain that's what it is.

Fishing was only so-so. A few possible strikes for my dad, but no fish hooked. This is always a risk of fishing the Yuba, but given the size of the water, you know that if you do hook a fish, it's liable to be a big one.

Overall, a fairly fun day and nice way to spend a furlough day. Part of our purpose was to scout this location for an upcoming pontoon boat trip. My father and I just purchased Dave Scadden Outlaw X5 boats this weekend (see North Fork Outdoors), which we plan to use for river runs as well as still-water fishing. They're rated for class 4 rapids, though we won't be trying anything like that....yet.

Mike's Recommendations (if you decide to visit):

• Hiking: The Yuba river is probably not the best place to hike in the world, as most of the ares I explored required waist deep wading (and low flows). However, if you're looking for some variety, it is a neat place to trek around.
  


• Fishing: As I said above, this is big water and big fish. If you go, bring your chest high waders and don't expect to cross at high flows. You can park where we did or park up
  


• Rafting/Kayaking: The run between the highway 20 bridge and Owlsely Bar is supposedly a very good. The folks at Sycamore Ranch will even drive your car from the bridge to the pullout for $35.
  

Enjoy the photos and let me know if you have any questions!

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Click Here For Full Screen Slideshow (recommended)

Individual Photos (52 photos)

Driving Directions (courtesy of Google Maps)

Sycamore Ranch Campground and RV Park

Note: To use any photo as a screen background: 1) Go to Individual Photos link above 2) Go to that individual photo , 3) Click on the magnifying glass in upper right corner, then 4) Right-click and set as your background.