Lassen and Hat Creek

            We took a drive up to the Lassen Peak area. It has been a few years since the last visit and Lassen was closed for the winter right at the entrance (because of the snow).
                                                   
                                      Mt. Shasta in all its glory from Hwy 36 and still nearly 100 miles away. While Mt. Whitney is 340 feet taller, it  no way compares to this magnificent mountain. Mount Shasta last erupted in 1786.

Here is Lake Manzanita, still locked into winter, during the first week of April.

We could just see the rim of the crater. Lassen Peak was dormant for 27,000 years before it came back to life in 1914 through 1917. While 27,000 years seems like forever to us it is just a blink of the eye in geologic time.

 

Craters on the northwest side of Lassen, most formed in 1915.

A few of the local residents.

Hat Creek is running full and crystal clear.

Couldn't help but add this photo of our little girl...Missy.

Crystal Lake has dual inlets from Hat Creek, this one and the inlet from the hydro electric plant.