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As the Sierra Nevadas turn into the Cascades and the mountains move from the eastern edge of California to the middle of the state, a high desert is formed in Northeastern California. The area resembles parts of Oregon, Nevada and Idaho more than what people think California should look like. With Potatoes and horseradish grown in the area there are many sites to see in this part of California that not many will see.

Besides the scene of the Modoc Indian wars against the U.S. Calvary, a stand off in a hideout of lava beds and a varied cave system there is much to see here. You can also see an old Japanese interment camp and bighorn sheep on the steep slopes to the west.

While the park system used to loan out Coleman lanterns to cave visitors they now rent out flashlights. Bring your own Coleman for a much better view of the cave system. At the main park you can even watch a movie about the site in a well lit cave that has been turned into a theater. Some of the best caves in the system are the ice caves. Savvy cavers will carry a sweater into the cave despite the surface temperature being in the 80’s to 100’s in the summer it will drop to freezing in as you get deeper.

The massive lava flows and cinder cones around the area are another site not to miss. See part of California the few people get to.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is a place of several kinds of beauty. The beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the beauty of an active volcano.

Lassen is best viewed from then of spring to the beginning of winter. Spring in the Sierra Nevada can be from April till July. Some years the park was still snowed in on the 4th of July but this does not happen often. No you won’t see any vats of lava here….unless there is an eruption! There are plenty of steaming vents and bubbling mud pits. Old landslides and lava beds abound as do beautiful alpine lakes.

Be prepared to do some serious walking and hiking to see all the park has to offer. Stay on the trails! I started a rock slide the narrowly missed several people as the rocks went across the trail that crisscrosses several times. I should have heeded natures call in the ample rest rooms they have at various sites.

This whole area of Northern California is a rock hunters dream. With everything from large chunks of pumice that weight only a few pounds to giant deposits of black obsidian with chunks the size of your head. You can also find many quartz deposits, gold bearing quartz deposits.