Lassen Volcanic National Park Road Opens Today

Date: July 6, 2006
Contact: Mary G. Martin, 530-595-4444 ext. 5101

July 6, 2006 For Immediate Release
Mary G. Martin (530) 595- 4444, ext. 5101

Lassen Volcanic National Park Road Opens Today

Park Superintendent Mary G. Martin announced this morning that the Main Park Road through Lassen Volcanic National Park will open at noon today. “Each year our goal is to open our main road by the Memorial Day holiday weekend, but this year the series of late and heavy snowstorms set back the road opening operations that began at the first of March,” said Superintendent Martin. Snow removal operations began in the Manzanita Lake area on March 1 and in the Southwest Entrance area on April 3. Road crews encountered above average snow accumulations as the late spring storms precipitated deep snow with repeated snowfalls.

There was approximately 180% of normal precipitation this past winter/spring season. In addition to the normal equipment repairs that occur with the heavy equipment used in road opening, one of the rotary snow- blowers was vandalized during the month of April which delayed operations for several days. A $1,000 reward is still offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals.

“We would like to commend our road crew for their diligence, efficiency and safe work to complete this important work. We also thank Caltrans for their assistance and support of the park road opening with their staff and equipment,” stated Martin. “I encourage folks to come visit the park while there is still snow in the higher elevations. Even though some of the hiking trails like Bumpass Hell and Kings Creek Falls trails are still snow covered, there are many miles of trails that are available to hike at this time.” Visitors need to dress in layers to adjust for changing weather conditions and bring food, water, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

All campgrounds in the park except for the Summit Lake and Juniper Lake campgrounds are now open. We anticipate that the remaining campgrounds will be opening soon. The Loomis Museum is open daily and the Southwest Information Station is open on weekends. The concession- run facilities, Manzanita Lake Camper Store, Peak Necessities (at Southwest Entrance area) and Drakesbad Guest Ranch are open.

For more information, please contact the park at (530) 595- 4444 or for TDD at [phone], Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo. - NPS