New Years in Lassen Park

“Just wanted to update the Lassen New Years trip.....

We will have the Tipi pitched on the 30th, at Silver Snag...you can get a map of the trail in here.... http://community.webshots.com/album/18786349sewmdCZNMv
Pull up Silver Snag Directions.

Most folks just park at the Loomis Ranger Station at Manzanita Lake and head up the trail to us (Manzanita Creek Trail, a very popular trail), you can't miss the campsite....it will be almost exactly 2 miles from the parking lot, mostly flat ground except for the last 3/4 mile, which is a moderate climb in elevation.
We will be making some trips back to the parking lot to pick up more supply's on the 30th and on the 31st, if your unsure how to get there we can arrange to meet you there.

There is a $10.00 fee required to enter the Park, if you don't have a pass (a Golden Eagle Pass will do) I am checking with the rangers about a good place just outside the park for those who want to car camp, then head in later.

Again those that attend will need x-c skis or snowshoes and tents and winter gear to camp with us...the Tipi will be used for partying, getting warm (wood burning stove) and some cooking. We only fire up the stove when it gets dark, so a stove is handy for breakfast.

The 30th is a full moon, so night skiing and snowshoeing should be perfect around New Years!

Any one interested, or if you have any questions drop me a e-mail.

Hey Wanderer, does it look like you will make it????”

“Ooops....heres the link for Silver Snag Maps...
Maps”

“Are you going to try and make the peak?

How about a side trip into Bumpass Hell?”

“I'm not going to be climbing Lassen Peak this year, although some of the others may go for it. Last year, Amy and another gal did it from camp in under 3 hours, climbing by way of the California Snowfield (I marked it on one of the maps). This approach is from Manzanita Creek drainage and is much faster.

Unfortunately, Bumpass Hell is on the other side of the park from where we will be. We go in by way of the North entrance, via Redding and Hy 44. I do plan on going up Loomis peak (weather permitting) while were there, the views are arguably the best in the park, and the ski off is worth the couple hours it takes to get there.”

“I can't believe I'm not going to make this trip, it sounds like a blast! I even bought a new rando rig today and I still can't make this trip happen. Arrggghhhh!!!!”

“I have other plans for New Year's.

I sometimes head into Bumpass from the southeast, via Rice Creek/Feather River Meadows. Quite the jaunt, but seldom even a sign of anyone else. Miles of unbroken snow.

Bonte Peak in the SE corner of the Park is a worthy trip in the Winter also.”

“SnowDude and I will be there! He got new snowshoes, and one of those fancy lightweight shovels. We'll backpack to the camp. Got holiday lunches & dinners thru Thurs evening (heheheh, just got back from a Holiday Party!) and we're leaving Friday for Mammoth. Gotta find time to pack! Hmmmmmm....maybe if I got off this computer I could get a start on that. Duhh!”

“Sounds cool, but I'll be hiking the Lost Coast instead.”

“I'm There! Wanderer Jr & I have been plannin' on it for awhile, we're both stoked. Packs are ready, checked out the snowshoes this weekend, even have our menu's planned. YEEEAAAHH!”

“Cool deal Wanderer, Wanderer Jr , Snow Nymph and Snow Dude... looking forward to meeting you folks. It's shaping up to be a great crowd.....it's gonna be gooood!

Rodney and I scored an igloo machine from a friend of ours...Rodney is going up a couple days early and planing to build one or two to see how well it works, they are 8/9 feet across. Perhaps we can build a small city while were up there!

Sorry we won't be able to meet with everyone, I wish you all a great Christmas and New Years....stay safe!”

“*pout*”

“Don't cry little girl, daddy will make it all better, you'll see........................






Just thought, you should pick up a back country permit from the Rangers while your in the parking lot...just tell them your camping at Silver Snag. Not to worry if you miss the Ranger, I usually get one for 8/10 to cover those that can't pick one up.

Gotta run and pick up the igloo machine and a sled.

I'm getting pumped!!!!!”

“Weather forecast for western Lassen Park -
http://www.boi.noaa.gov/FIREWX/SFOFWFRDD.html Scroll down to zone 8. Forecast is published twice a day during the week, not on weekends except during the summer.

Snowpack data -
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/ current snow data not posted yet. Stations of interest are NMN - Manzanita Lake; LLP - Lower Lassen Peak; ULP - Upper Lassen Peak

Current on site weather -
http://www.boi.noaa.gov/PRODUCTS/CARAWS.html
Scroll down to Manzanita Lake. The time is in GMT so subtract 8 hours.”

“Way cool, thanks gordon....there used to be a site that had road side measurements, you could pull up Eskimo Hill and see how many feet there was and how much had fallen that day, unfortunately they discontinued it.

Here is a great site for Mt Shasta weather and avalanche conditions...
Mt Shasta weather and avalanche report”

“Damn, I'd like to be going on this trip as well. Gotta hit the slopes in Tahoe tho and visit relatives.

Maybe I scope the locale if those igloos work out and sleep in one!”

“We'll be riding Alpine on Saturday (29th). Will probably hit Kirkwood or maybe Squaw of Friday (28th). Look for my lime green jacket with the petroglyphs, and black helmet, black pants. Blue/white board with blue petroglyphs, and rust colored boots. Just back from another party, gotta pack. Leaving tomorrow night.”

“SN: I may be at Alpine when you are and will keep my eyes peeled for yas. I ride a Ride Mtn. w. a red/black patagonia shell, tan cargo pants, olive hat and burgundy boots. Maybe I'll see yas out there!”

“Awww, Steve, do we have to play that daddy game AGAIN?? Let's do biker dude instead. ROTFLMAO”

“I think we're doing Northstar Fri & Alpine Saturday. I'll look for you out there Roseymonster!”

“As far as the Tahoe area resorts you mention, Kirkwood is by far #1, Alpine is very nice, Squaw is a little too ritzy for my tastes and Northstar is like a big bunny slope. If you get the chance, go to Kirkwood which often has the deepest snow of any resort in the world, yes the world. It's extremely scenic, not nearly as crowded as the posh lakeside resorts and has extremely challenging terrain.”

“huh? bunny slopes? No way! Thanks, Dunk. We were going to Kirkwood, but it seemed like a long drive, but we want the best ones. Guess we'll have to get up early for Kirkwood.”

“I think that's why it's the least used. 'Cause it's so far off the beaten path. A group has a cabin by Homewood. I'll be checking that out for the first time. Supposedly nice views of the lake. I groove on Alpine tho. Some really nice bowls.”

“Looks like the weather will be good for the New Years trip, the latest forecast calls for mostly/partly cloudy for the 31st and 1st....there is almost 3 feet at Manzanita Lake right now, so that should mean about 4 feet at Silver Snag. Rodney and his wife are going up tomorrow (Thursday) and build an igloo (he didn't make it last week, work called) and will update me on snow depths and conditions.

Wanderer, drop me an e-mail if you get a chance...what day were you going to get there, and what time do you think you will be in the parking lot, we may be able to meet you there.

I just added 2lb of deer sausage to my food bag, nothing like fresh meat and eggs for breakfast......I been know to share...



.....sometimes.......”

“Lassen update...

One igloo has been built...the tipi will go up on the 30th.

Rodney and the girls are going in Sat (29th)...probably late in the afternoon.

Tamara and I are going in the morning of the 30th, we will probably be in the parking lot around 10:00am. A few others are going in Sunday too, I don't know when they will get there.

The weather is better then you would think from the forecasts, there has been light snow, off and on (a little wet) around 5,000' (Silver Snag is 6,000') ..it's supposed to lighten up quite a bit on Sunday and Monday (may even see the sun a little), then light snow again on the 1st. The rangers tell me most of the nasty weather is missing the Manzanita Lake drainage.


I'll update this again on Saturday.”

“If anyone else is heading up from Sacramento area & wants to car pool, let me know! I'm heading out Sunday A.M., have plenty of room for people & gear.”

“It looks like it should be partly cloudy on the 30th and 1st, with showers on New Years eve, that should mean on and off again snow at 6,000'. There were times I could see Lassen from my house, the weather was better there then it was here (Redding). The South side of Lassen is getting much worse weather.

Tamara and I are meeting Jill in the parking lot, and Rodney is going to come down and help haul up a load to camp.

16 hours and I'm outta here................”

“The Lassen New Years trip was awesome.... Snow Nymph and Snow Dude are terrific folks , I'll tell you about her $500.00 pot and cup later, oh yea, and about the titty warmers Amy brought up too..........I'll post a trip report later today or tomorrow, I have a bunch of stuff to take care of and won't be able to get back online for awhile.

Happy New Years everyone!!!!”

“Snownymph will most likely provide photos. That must be a blast, I always wanted to go to Lassen in the winter.”

“I had a last-minute family "crisis" of sorts & missed this even though I was half-way there when the call came. Damn, I KNEW this was going to be a good trip...sorta can't wait to see the pics, sorta don't want to see what I missed. (lots of whining)”

“I hope everything's OK or getting better W. There's always next year, and Loon Lake, etc.”