Lassen Volcanic National Park Road Opens to Bumpass Hell Parking Area and Devastated Area

Date: June 15, 2006
Contact: John Roth, 530-595-4444 ext. 5150

June 15, 2006 For Immediate Release
John Roth [phone], ext. 5150

Lassen Volcanic National Park Road Opens to Bumpass Hell Parking Area and Devastated Area

Park Superintendent Mary G. Martin announced that the main park road in Lassen Volcanic National Park is now open seven miles to the Bumpass Hell parking area from the Southwest Entrance and ten miles to the Devastated Area from the Manzanita Lake Entrance. The National Park Service road crew has cleared snow just beyond the Lassen Peak parking area where there is approximately 20 feet of snow. The road and some facilities will open later this year due to heavy spring snowstorms. “We anticipate the entire road through the park to be open in mid-July. This is a wonderful, quiet time to experience the park’s beautiful snow-covered landscape,” said Superintendent Martin.

At the Southwest Entrance, Peak Necessities Café and Gifts is open and there is camping on three to six feet of snow with water at the Southwest Walk-in Campground. The Warner Valley Campground and Drakesbad Guest Ranch are also open. The Juniper Lake Road remains closed due to snow. Near the Manzanita Lake Entrance, the Manzanita Lake Campground, Crags Campground, and Camper Service Store are open. The Loomis Museum is open Friday through Sunday and will open daily beginning June 23. The Butte Lake Campground is also open.

There are spring snow conditions for snowplayers, snowboarders, and cross-country skiers in some areas. Many hiking trails including Bumpass Hell and Lassen Peak are still inaccessible. Dress in layers to adjust for conditions and bring food, water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Visitors can walk the closed plowed road, but should avoid areas where snow removal equipment is working. Visibility for equipment operators is limited and can be very hazardous. The direct web link to road opening information is, www.nps.gov/lavo/lassen_roadsandtrails.htm.

For current information, please check the park’s website at www.nps.gov/lavo or telephone [phone] or for TDD [phone], Monday though Friday except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -NPS-