Date: August 24, 2012
Contact: Darlene Koontz, 530-595-6102
With the recent containment of the Reading Fire in Lassen Volcanic National Park, more areas of the park are becoming accessible to visitors. "We are working to open more park facilities and areas of the park as safety for visitors and staff allows," stated Park Superintendent Darlene M. Koontz. "There may still be areas with smoke, so I encourage visitors to call our visitor center to check on smoke conditions prior to visiting the park."
"I would like to express our thanks and appreciation for the cooperation and support on the Reading Fire," said Superintendent Koontz. Supporting organizations include: the U.S. Forest Service, other National Park Service units, Bureau of Land Management, CalFire, Shasta County Sheriff, California Emergency Management Agency (formerly OES), U.S. Fish & Wildlife, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Old Station Fire Department, Redding Fire Department, and Mill Creek/Mineral Fire Department."
The main park road through the park is open to Summit Lake from the south entrance and to Manzanita Lake from the north entrance through this weekend and is scheduled to open to through traffic on Monday, August 27 at noon.
Camping is currently available at Manzanita Lake, Warner Valley, Juniper Lake and the Southwest (walk-in) campgrounds. The Manzanita Lake camping cabins have also re-opened. Visitor services include the Loomis Museum, Manzanita Lake Camper Store, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center, the Lassen Café & Gifts (located in the visitor center) and Drakesbad Historic Guest Ranch in Warner Valley.
Most of the park's popular trails are open. For visitor safety, those areas and trails in burned areas from the Reading Fire will remain closed. From the southwest entrance, visitors can access Bumpass Hell, Kings Creek Falls, Mill Creek Falls, and Brokeoff Mountain trails among others. Warner Valley offers visitors an opportunity to hike several trails including the trails to Devils Kitchen and Boiling Springs Lake, two of the park's hydrothermal areas. The Lassen Peak trail will be open to the summit Friday, August 31 through Monday, September 3. Visitors can enjoy a spectacular full moon hike up the peak on August 31. The trails around Manzanita Lake, Lily Pond, Crags Lake and Manzanita Creek are also open in the northwest part of the park.
Lassen is excited to announce its first trail challenge this Labor Day weekend. Between Saturday, September 1 and Monday, September 3, visitors can obtain an Explore Safely Trail Challenge brochure at park entrance stations or visitor centers. The challenge encourages visitors to complete one of three hiking challenge levels to earn an Explore Safely bandana. All ages are welcome and participation is free.
Ranger-led programs offer visitors a wide variety of topics on the natural and cultural history of the park each week through Labor Day weekend. There are programs for visitors of all ages. A description of activities can be found on our park website and at park visitor centers and campgrounds.
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, follow LassenNPS on Twitter or Facebook, or contact park staff at (530) 595-4480 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.
