Date: June 2, 2012
Contact: Darlene Koontz, 530-595-6102
Park Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz announced today that the highway through the park will open for through traffic at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 1. "We are happy to have this major access to Lassen Volcanic National Park opened now that summer has arrived," stated Ms. Koontz. "This year's road opening operations progressed more quickly compared to last year's mid-July opening primarily because of the light snowfall this past winter." The roads to Butte Lake and Warner Valley are also open for the season.
The campgrounds available this weekend include Manzanita Lake campground and the Southwest (walk-in) campground. Visitor services include the Loomis Museum, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, Manzanita Lake Camper Store, and the Lassen Café & Gifts (located at the visitor center).
Many of the park trails still have significant snow coverage, including Lassen Peak and Brokeoff Mountain trails. Hikers will find that travel in snow-covered areas requires sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles. Kings Creek Falls and Bumpass Hell trails are not accessible due to snow and the trail to Lassen Peak summit is closed at the 1.3 mile "Grandview Overlook" as work on the Lassen Peak Trail will resume for the season. For those visitors wishing to avoid snowy areas, they will enjoy hiking along trails in the Manzanita Lake, Warner Valley and Butte Lake areas. One hike frequently overlooked is Cinder Cone volcano trail which begins along Fantastic Lava Beds and opens up with wonderful views of the Painted Dunes, Snag Lake and Lassen Peak.
To learn of facility opening activities, trail status, receive updates, or check for current conditions, go to the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo, on Twitter , on Facebook or contact park staff at (530) 595-4480.
