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Lassen Volcanic NP Highway Closed to Through Traffic
The Lassen Volcanic NP Highway is closed at the Devastated Area (10 miles inside the northwest entrance) and Bumpass Hell parking area (7 miles from the southwest entrance). More »
Spring Road Clearing
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Current Road Status
Map of road plowing progress
NPS Photo A snow plow driver enjoys a view of snowy Lassen Peak near the Devastated Area 2012 Snow Clearing Operator Log May 18 It was another good week for the road crew at Lassen Volcanic National Park. We are currently past the high point of the road (8,512') and starting the downhill push towards Kings Creek. We are hoping to meet up with the Caltrans rotary plow shortly. The Bumpass Hell parking lot is fully cleaned out. We are currently in approximately 8' of snow, but are approaching the portion of the road that once again allows us to push snow off of the road, thus reducing the amount of snow the rotary plow moves. With rising temperatures, the snow is melting quickly and is covering the road surface with water and small stones and debris. We will most likely open the road to the Peak parking lot next week. Please note that the restrooms are cleaned at Bumpass Hell parking area, but the restrooms at the Peak parking lot are still buried and inaccessible. If you are planning to walk up to the Peak parking lot, plan accordingly. As a final safety note, sections of the road are still icy in the early morning, and the freeze/thaw action is still loosening stones that tumble or wash onto the roadway. To avoid injury to yourself or your vehicle, drive at the appropriate speed and pay attention to the roadway. The next road update will be on May 24th; stay tuned for some good news. May 11 Progress for this past week has been good despite some minor maintenance casualties (broken shear pins) caused by rocks on the road and chunks of ice. From the south side of the park, the road crew has reached nearly to Lake Helen with the bulldozers and is currently cleaning the Bumpass Hell parking lot with the rotary plows. Snow depths remain in the 8 foot range and the snow pack is being reduced daily by the warmer temperatures. Once the road is scraped down to within 1 inch of the asphalt, the sun clears the road to bare pavement in a matter of hours. From the north side of the park, we have cleared to approximately 1 mile south of Summit Lake campgrounds and are still in 5 to 8 feet of snow. We expect that as we turn further to the SW, snow depths will drop due to the increased sun exposure on the road. We are waiting for the road into Warner Valley to dry out before we open it to the public. Clearing the road to Juniper Lake will start next week. Look for a new road update next Friday.
NPS Photo Rotary plow at the southwest entrance Road Opening Process
NPS Photo Snow plowing near Sulphur Works Why does the road close in winter and when will it re-open for summer? Clearing of the main park road (30 miles total), begins in April and on average takes 2 months before the road opens through. Predicting when the road will open is not possible, even in late spring, because weather in April and even May can affect plowing progress significantly. See chart below for opening and closing dates since 1980. Spring Road Opening Dates - 1980 to present
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Did You Know?
The Lassen Volcanic National Park newspaper comes out twice a year--one issue for winter and one for the summer season. The newspaper describes the many activities you can enjoy visiting during the very different seasons. More...