Lassen Volcanic National Park Opens Road in Time for the Holiday Weekend

Date: May 18, 2007
Contact: Mary G. Martin, 530-595-4444 ext. 5101
Contact: John Roth, 530-595-4444 ext. 5150

Lassen Volcanic National Park Opens Road in Time for the Holiday Weekend

Superintendent Mary G. Martin announced today that the main park road through Lassen Volcanic National Park is now open. “This is the earliest the road has opened in several years, but the earliest it has ever opened was on April 28, 1990,” stated Superintendent Martin. The roads to Butte Lake and Warner Valley are also open while the road into Juniper Lake will open at a later date.

Snow removal operations began in the Manzanita Lake Area on March 14 and at the Southwest Entrance the first week of April. Road crews encountered approximately 60 percent of normal snow accumulations during this year’s snow removal.

“This is a wonderful time to drive the park road and view the beautiful snowy mountain landscapes amid blue skies,” said Martin. Hikers can walk trails in the Manzanita Lake and Butte Lake areas. Most other park trails, including Bumpass Hell Trail, are still snow-covered and inaccessible (or difficult to locate). The Lassen Peak Trail still has snow covering portions of the trail, and those areas have been flagged for visitors to keep to the trail and avoid off-trail damage to the underlying landscape. Visitors should dress in layers to adjust for changing weather conditions and bring food, water, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Drivers should watch for rocks falling onto the roadway.

For those planning to visit Memorial Day Weekend, Manzanita Lake Campground will be open May 24. The historic Loomis Museum will be open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day beginning May 25 and daily beginning June 22. The concession-run Camper Service Store (Manzanita Lake) will open May 24 and Peak Necessities Cafe & Gift Shop (Lassen Peak parking lot) will open May 25.

For campground updates, current road and trail conditions, and further information, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/lavo or contact the park at [phone], Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

-NPS-