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Smurf Village, BC
Canada
1497 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 2:10 PM
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Summer in Vancouver was less than stellar this year, with too many cloudy and rainy days. The solution? Why, California, of course!
So, we packed up the car and off we went on a road trip. Thus began our journey, Speedos and sunglasses in hand.
Date: September 23, 2007
Location: Lassen Volcanic National Park
I was inspired by bluesky's report from 2 years ago (http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=13789). The U.S. National Park Service has lots of information on their website if you decide to go (http://www.nps.gov/lavo/)
As we drove ever upwards, we noticed that it was getting rather chilly. Didn't we come to California for the warm weather?!?!
Anyhow, we bundled up and started up the trail.
  
Every time I hike in the States, I am impressed by the trail maintenance. They spend a lot of money on keeping these routes in tip-top shape. Of course, they also spend money on reminding us to stay ON the trails.
The clouds broke briefly, providing some nice views to the south, from where we came. Unfortunately, there was no visibility to the north, which is what I was interested in...
 
The final approach turns into a scramble. Not difficult, but it could be cold on the hands if you didn't bring gloves (it's California, after all).
The summit has a couple of radio towers. Apparently, there used to be some sort of hut up top, but it has since crumbled to dust.
Summit elevation: 3,187 m (10,457 ft)
Round trip stats: 8 km (5 mi), 596 m (1,957 ft) elevation gain
Time taken: 3 hours |
Edited by - guntis on 10/09/2007 2:11 PM
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Maple Ridge, BC
Canada
739 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 2:32 PM
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Wow, didn't know there was snow in California in September???
I'm impressed with:
1. a new car (<8000km) with built-in outside thermometer on the dash.
2. the cautioning and yet threatening language on the sign.
3. your pictures.
4. the apparent ease and short time commitment to climb to nearly 3,200 metres elevation. What was the road like at 2,400 metres?
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Smurf Village, BC
Canada
1497 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 2:41 PM
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quote:
Wow, didn't know there was snow in California in September???
I'm impressed with:
1. a new car (<8000km) with built-in outside thermometer on the dash.
2. the cautioning and yet threatening language on the sign.
3. your pictures.
4. the apparent ease and short time commitment to climb to nearly 3,200 metres elevation. What was the road like at 2,400 metres?
1. Yes, we decided to break in the new car with some high elevation driving. It's a Rav4. Great vehicle.
2. I got a kick out of the signage. So different from our polite and respectful B.C. signs.
3.  thank you
4. sorry if I misled you...the "summit" was 3,187m. But I started at 2,591m. Not nearly as heroic...(edit: oh, wait, I see what you're saying. Yes, it's cool to start a hike that high!). Road was great. I didn't really notice much performance drop-off with the car. |
Edited by - guntis on 10/09/2007 2:43 PM |
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 Simpson quoting tree hunter and canyon rapping rockhound who longs for the return of his trapped Toyota
Salt Lake City, UT
USA
2268 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 3:16 PM
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| Cool choice for a fall trip! The cold front that dumped that snow might be the same one that hammered Zion as well. |
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Happy go lucky, plaid wearin, postholin, safeway gaitor sportin, old-school film shootin, giver of many regards
Abbotsford, B.C.
Canada
13465 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 6:52 PM
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That certainly looks chilly up there. What a go to drive to California and find winter up there on the slopes.
K |
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Utah's canyon trekking,deck chair packing desert explorer who dreams of visiting Canada someday
3988 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 7:42 PM
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Very nice! Great way to break in the new ride. "roadtrip"
Brash sign. Stewards of these sites vary in degree of "ownership"
that is sometimes amusing to witness. Some trails have that 4X4 wood peg with the bootprint that has the slash through it every ten paces reminding the hiker to STAY ON THE TRAIL!!! hehe |
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Anchorage, Alaska
USA
1340 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 8:31 PM
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| I know three people who have bought rav4's brand new in the last 6 months. They love them. Must be nice cars! I love the pictures, looks like wild geology. I thought the top of Lassen was higher than 3200m. Did the altitude get to you? |
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Telkwa
1176 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2007 : 8:49 PM
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| ha ha - I've got a little crumpled up Rav I love it. Lassen looks great - even in the snow. |
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Smurf Village, BC
Canada
1497 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 08:39 AM
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quote:
Did the altitude get to you?
The altitude didn't really bother me, except that I was breathing harder than usual almost immediately after starting. It was strange to feel short of breath but still have fresh legs. Anyway, we were still able to zip up & down pretty quickly. |
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Smurf Village, BC
Canada
1497 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 08:41 AM
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| Of course, the Colorado folks who climb the 14'ers regularly are saying "What're you talking about?". |
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Vancouver, BC
Canada
159 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2007 : 12:30 PM
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| I spent three years visiting that area (Hat Creek) but never had chance to tackle Lassen. Great to see some photos |
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Topic |
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Lassen Peak
