Pacific Ring of Fire - Lassen Peak, and a day in the great outdoors...

Lassen Peak is one of many active, dormant, or extinct volcanoes found around the Pacific Ocean in a Ring of Fire. It formed 27,000 years ago as a volcanic vent on Brokeoff Volcano's northern flank. It is one of the world's largest plug dome volcanoes, rising to an elevation of 10,457 feet. Lassen's last eruption was May 22, 1915 when the peak blew a huge, mushroom-shaped cloud of ash over 30,000 feet into the air and profoundly altered the surrounding area. Congress made this area a national park in 1916.

Mt. Lassen seen from Lake Almanor, Northern California.

As a child I had a pen pal in Vancouver BC, Canada. The main thing that has stuck in my memory all these years, was a statement she made about Vancouver's great outdoor life. She was boating in the warm sunshine in the morning, then mountain climbing and throwing snowballs in the afternoon!

Living on the English Channel I had the water but was far from any mountains. Her description of playing in water and snow made an indelible impression on me and I thought, "I'm going to do that one day".


Jasmin and new friend
Anabel boating early morning on Lake Almanor.

We loved the water and spent a lot of time admiring the beautiful mountains surrounding the lake.


Looking down on Lake Helen from the road's highest point, 8,512 feet.

Come lunchtime, sandwiches were packed and we were off driving up Mt. Lassen (about a 45 in. drive), passing steaming sulphur springs, wildflowers and lakes.

Stopping at the tree line, we set up a picnic and sat looking out toward Lake Almanor in the distance. It was hot, very few tourists, and a spectacular view.

Jasmin found volcanic rocks hard to roll, this one was certainly no pushover.......

Mama deer and her babies eyed us cautiously..........

.............and yes, there was snow at the tree line so we were able to make snowballs..........

......................and cool our hot feet!

On the way down we stopped at Emerald Lake, the prettiest lake and definitely green.

That same evening, as the sun went down, Jasmin took advantage of the water again, kayaking, riding the wave runner with our hostess.......my wonderful longtime friend Paula.........

.......and trampoline bouncing with Anabel. I have my doubts that Camp Kanata was ever this much fun!

A long, busy day.........a very long post........but a day to remember for sure.