Shasta/Lassen Region Questions (Redding, Shasta Lake: real estate, camping, live in)

[wanderbygrace]

We are making a family trip from Portland down to northern CA this summer, and a major stop on the itinerary is the Shasta/Lassen area. This begs a few questions:

1. The kids (pre teen boys) and I are all big volcano buffs, but I haven't been to this area since I was a kid, and they've never been there. What are some really great volcanic sites to see in the region, beyond merely driving around and ooohing and ahhhing at Shasta/Lassen peaks? I've read a little about the region, but figured you guys could really help out here w/some ideas. We are definitely up for some hiking, but probably nothing over about 4 hours and nothing super-strenous (figure easy to moderate hikes).

2. We will be camping in a tent trailer, and would love to stay at one place for the three or so nights that we'll be in the region, and do 1-3 hour drives to whereever we end up sightseeing at. What would be a good "home base" campground in the area? We would require electric, so a primitive sight isn't possible, unfortuantely.

Thanks in advance, friends!

[Bulldogdad]

Lassen National Volcanic Park. Checkout the web site. Lots of great day hikes in the park.

Hopefully the mud pots won't be too dry by the time you get there.

Have fun its a great family trip.

Fishing Shasta Lake on a rented boat is also nice.

[wanderbygrace]

Thanks!

One other question - we'll be in the area around the middle of June. Do the mountains still have plenty of snow left at that time, or is it mostly melted (esp. Lassen)? We live in the shadow of Mt. Hood and while she has a decent deal of white, year-round, mid-June still has her with a very significant mantle of snow on here. Just curious as to what Shasta & Lassen look like then.

What are the mud pots like at that time?

[Bulldogdad]

Originally Posted by wanderbygrace

Thanks!

One other question - we'll be in the area around the middle of June. Do the mountains still have plenty of snow left at that time, or is it mostly melted (esp. Lassen)? We live in the shadow of Mt. Hood and while she has a decent deal of white, year-round, mid-June still has her with a very significant mantle of snow on here. Just curious as to what Shasta & Lassen look like then.

What are the mud pots like at that time?

Shasta has glaciers so it stays white all year. this year the white cap will be smaller due to the lower than average snow fall.

Lassen has no glaciers but retains a few small pathes of snow throughout the summer.

Again mud pot activity depends on precipitation. Heavy-good, light-ok.

[Hawk J]

If y'all like waterfall's you can hike to them.

Waterfalls Near Redding CA - Burney, McCloud, Mossbrae, Whiskeytown and more, plus Redding CA Real Estate

Years ago we enjoyed the caverns.

Shasta Caverns

Have a wonderful Adventure.

[Fargobound]

I highly recommend hiking to the top of Lassen peak. I suggest looking for a camp ground around Shingletown.

[.highnlite]

Make sure you hike Lassen Peak, visit Bumpass Hell, there are seven kinds of volcanos on Lassen Park from plug domes like Lassen, to Strativolcanos and more. I recommend camping at a Butte Creek National Forest Campground located just out of the North East corner of the park, much quieter than the very noisy park campgrounds, free too I think. Hike the Cinder Cone (carry water, very hot) explore the lava tubes, carry flashlights and watch out for Big Foot, eat at Uncle Runts.