In Lassen Volcanic National Park

California has it all! Beaches, mountains, desert, forests of giants and volcanoes. We drive through Lake Tahoe to reach Lassen Volcanic National Park. I had never heard about this park, probably because it’s a teeny Yellowstone, but the place is worth exploring. It’s at the “crossroads” between the Sierra Nevada to the South, the Cascade range to the North and the Great Basin desert to the East. All four types of volcanoes are found in Lassen Volcanic National Park: shield, cinder cone, plug dome and composite. We hike up a cinder cone, a strenuous climb to a one-of-a-kind view. After that we’re headed for a warm shower at the park’s campground, except it’s low season and everything is closed now!

Lake Tahoe

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Cinder cone

Painted dunes and lava bed

View on Lassen peak