Audio
Lassen Audio Tour Stop 15 - Reflection Lake
Transcript
Stop 15. Reflection Lake Reflection Lake has long been a popular destination for visitors who enjoy pondering nature’s beauty. The lake is named for the lovely reflected images of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags visible from the opposite shore. Formed by a rockslide from Chaos Crags three centuries ago, this depression was previously known as Mud Lake. In the late 1800s, settlers diverted part of Manzanita Creek, making the lake just slightly less shallow. Today, the lake is slowly shrinking. Its sandy shores expand with small particles of volcanic rock carried by water from nearby Lassen Peak. Trees and shrubs further the effect, pushing in on the lakeshore and filling the bottom with decaying plant life. Eventually, the lake will become a meadow. Until then, this aquatic habitat is ideal for wildflowers, water insects, and the birds that feed on them. Take a stroll on the one-mile path that circles the lake. Listen for the rattle-like call of the belted kingfisher or the gentle hum of buzzing dragonflies. Much as its name implies, Reflection Lake is a lovely spot to enjoy the sights, sounds, and serenity of nature.
Description
The lake is named for the lovely reflected images of Lassen Peak and Chaos Crags visible from the opposite shore.
Credit
NPS
Date Created
09/01/2018
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