Park Road

Many of Lassen Volcanic National Park's most spectacular features are easily accessible to visitors from the 34 mile park loop road. This road is designated at California Highway Route 89, although it was built and is maintained by the National Park Service. It was originally known as the "Loop Highway" since there were once plans to for the road to circle Lassen Peak.

Although the road does not run completely around the peak is does circle east of it, providing spectacular views of the mountain from that perspective. In this picture, showing the northeast face of Lassen Peak, snow is evident even in early August. There is a perennial snowfield on the summit of Lassen Peak.

The road is shown below as it runs through the Devastated Area, near the nature trail and southwest of Raker Peak. Excellent views of the results of the major eruptions in 1915 can be viewed in this area.

Initially there were no paved roads in the park, and access for most visitors was very difficult. Serious road building efforts did not commence until 1924-1925. A variety of proposals for various routes for highways were considered, including a road which ran completely around Lassen Peak and a network of roads which provided access to the eastern section of the park. However, NPS Chief Stephen Mather made the decision to limit road construction to the current park road so as to preserve the natural character of the rest of the park. Funds for construction of the main park loop road were appropriated in 1929, and the road completed in 1931.

This view of the park road is from the Bumpass Hell parking lot.The road can be seen across the Little Hot Springs Area as is runs across the foot of Diamond Peak.

A dramatic view of Lassen Peak is afforded by the road in the vicinity of Diamond Peak.

In this picture the park road can be seen as it climbs with Brokeoff Mountain in the background.

The park road is shown below as it climbs toward Vulcan's Castle. This dacite dome, or plug volcano, reaches 8475 feet. It is named for its precipitous sides joined with systems of cracks. Vulcan, of course, was the Norse god of fire and the name from which the word "volcano" was derived.

The park road is shown below as winds past Lake Helen. This point, at about 8100 feet, is very near the highest point on the road, which reaches 8500 feet. In this picture, taken in early August, considerable snow remains. The first major storm of the season each year will occur in mid-October. After this point the road is closed for the season.

A different, and dramatic, perspective of the road can be obtained from Lassen's Summit. On the left side of the picture the road can be seen winding past Lake Helen. Above and to the right of the lake the road is in evidence as it runs across the face of Diamond Peak.