Special Events at Lassen Volcanic National Park for Summer 2014
April 13, 2014 by: Sharon Roberts
Highlights of Events at Lassen Park for 2014
Make your Plans to Hike the Lassen Peak Trail
The Lassen Peak trail is in its last year of a 2.5 million dollar trail restoration project spanning over 5 years. It will be open to hike to the top of Lassen Peak on 6 weekends during the summer of 2014.
Once the snow is gone for the winter the first 1.3 miles of the Lassen Peak trail is hike-able to Grandview. The trail is open past Grandview on the following dates:
The first weekend the trail is open to the Peak is Father’s Day Weekend Friday June 13th – Sunday June 15th.
The trail will be open for Independence Day Weekend from Thursday July 3- Monday July 6.
The trail will be open for the Full moon in August from Friday, August 8th – Monday, August 10th. The full moon is August 10th.
Labor Day Weekend from Friday August 29th – Monday September 1st.
The trail will be open during Public Lands Day, Sept. 27th. The trail will be accessible from Friday Sept. 26th – Sunday, September 28th.
The 27th will be a fee free entrance day to Lassen Park as well as the 4th Art & Wine Festival at the Kohmane Visitor Center.
The last opportunity to hike the peak in 2014 will be Columbus Day Weekend Friday, October 10- Monday , October 13.
Because of the popularity of this trail it is advised to plan for an earlier start if at all possible.
The Reach the Peak project began in 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in 2014. For details on trail improvement and progress to date check the park website. The park has produced a Short Video on Lassen Peak showing some of the great views, pictures of Lassen Peak erupting and highlights of the restoration project.
3rd Annual Dark Sky Festival August 1-3rd
This is a celebration to showcase the Dark Sky over Lassen Park. This will give you an opportunity to learn more about our Dark Skies and the great resource they are. You will learn little ways to help save this resource you may not have thought of.
There will be activities during the day and into the evening. Telescopes will be set up at Bumpass Hell parking area as well as other locations in the park. Check back here later in the season for more details. Basic video of event.
A complete schedule of events will be available early July at the park website go.nps.gov/darksky.
Some of the highlights from last year included a special Night Explorer patch for kids 5 to 12. The patch is earned by completing activities in the Night Explorer workbook. The workbook is available at both the Loomis Visitor Center and the Kohm Yah-meh-nee Visitor Center.
A ranger led Solar System hike along the Mill Creek Falls Trail. You will learn just how far apart the planets in our solar system are spaced. Much more fun to learn about our solar system while on a beautiful hike that sitting in a classroom.
You will be able to enjoy great views of the Milky Way, with laser guided tours of constellations, as well as telescope viewing.
Last year the Astronomical Society of Nevada helped out with this event and they are scheduled to return. One of their goals is to encourage, foster, conduct and support programs on astronomy and related sciences for the education and enlightenment of the general public.
NASA scientists were part of the program, teaching about the exciting field of astrobiology and Lassen’s role in the search for life.
Guest staying with us last year all raved about this program. Make your plans to visit now. Availability for lodging at the St. Bernard Lodge.
Special Programs for the Kids
Lassen Volcanic National Park offers several programs just for the kids and a few for the adults. Lassen Park offers a junior ranger program, ranger led programs begin late June and run until early part of August. Most of the programs are 45 minutes in duration and are held at Manzanita Lake, Devasted Area, Summit Lake, Sulphur Works and the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. The exact schedule will be published in the park paper ” Peak Experiences” and later in the season can be found on the park website.
To get a head start print the Junior Ranger book now or it can be picked up at either visitor center in the park. This version of the workbook is special, the front cover was designed by a local school student.
Lassen Park offers the Chipmunk Club for younger children. The Lassen Volcano Club Card can be fun for all ages. To print the activity sheet. Resources to help you complete the seven activities.
The National Park System has a way for you to become a Web Ranger from home. Take a peek at the program now. This program is great for all ages and has interactive games, stories, and puzzles. It lets you track your progress and earn awards while learning about out National Parks and Monuments.
Please check back often for more updates on special programs and events both at Lassen Park and Northern California near St. Bernard Lodge. Our events page has other events scheduled in the area. Room availability is just a click away. We welcome your phone calls for general information on Lassen Park and the area surrounding St. Bernard Lodge. Looking forward to hearing from you 530-258-3382.