Spring gathering in Lassen

“We are working on a 3 day ski, snowboard and snow shoe gathering in Lassen Park around the end of April. The Park Service plows the road into the Devastated Area each year, this offers some great spring skiing, boarding, snow shoeing and camping.

Camp will be about 1 mile or 1.75 miles from the parking lot...we will decide on the spot when we can check out the area. Usual temps during the day are around 65/70+ and at night close to 30...you can ski and board in your shorts! The views are really spectacular and there are lots of areas to explore.

This opening attracts many skiers and boarders who want the challenge of taking a run from the top of Lassen, bring your ice ax and crampon's if you want to give it a shot. It takes around 1 to 3 hours to climb the peak from camp (depending on conditions, yours and the mountains) and the run back to the parking lot is around 3 miles long. Those that want a more relaxed run can ski/board any of a number of routes from just above camp...I have even taken first timers down runs near camp and they made it back to the parking lot without falling....well only once or twice. Those that want to try a little snow camping, but lack full winter gear will find this a perfect introduction. Your summer gear should work fine.

I will post more info as I get it....The exact date the road will be open, what coverage is and the weather conditions and temps.

Maps and a couple pictures of the area can be found here”

“This is in Northern CA”

“Is it spring already?”

“Sort of....

I wanted to give folks a chance to plan for this.”

“Sounds tempting. I may only be good for an overnighter though.”

“Looks cool. I will have to keep an eye on this thread. I love Lassen because so many people are drawn to the more "popular" natural areas (mostly Yosemite) so it is relatively uncrowded. What is available to non-ski/snowboarders?”

“Excellent, Steve! I would very much like to do this trip. I was planning an ascent of Shasta around this time and maybe the two can coincide! If not, I wanna do them both!”

“Hikin Mike...neat thing about this kind of trip is you can be at camp a few minutes after leaving your rig, plus your in the middle of the back-country right away.

pepperDog..there are all kinds of places to explore on snowshoes, the hike up Hat Creek to Paradise Meadows is particularly nice, not to mention you can climb Lassen in a couple hours.

Rosey...keep in-touch, perhaps you can hit us on your way up to Shasta...Climb Lassen for a warm-up!”

“PepperDog - I'll be snowshoeing too.

Lassen is about 5 or 6 hours north of me, but it's do-able for an overnighter. I'm taking too much time off this year for hiking...got to save some vacation to spend with the family! 8)”

“I want to join in on this one. I am in Seattle so what's the easiest way to get there?”

“South on Interstate 5, turn East in Redding on Hy 44 till you get to Manzanita Lake/North Entrance Lassen. Check the link above, it goes to a map for when you get to Redding, also maps of the area.”

“It is beginning to look like the road to the Devastated area might be plowed by the end of March...I'll keep everyone updated as I get more information.”

“Well they opened the road into the Devastated Area yesterday, so those of you that enjoy skiing and snowshoeing in shorts can start working on your tan....

The bad news is that I won't be able to set up an overnighter..I just got home from a 5 day with the kids and next week I have a class to teach for CARDA before I leave on another 10 day (Lost Coast, ya hooo!).

I will get up there for a day ski as soon as I decompress, if anyone decides to come up, let me know and I'll try and meet ya.”

“I may be able to do an overnighter on 4/5 and perhaps the 6th (Fri, Sat and Sun) . CARDA just got their insurance cancelled thanks to Gray Davis (don't get me started...) and they cancelled the training on the 5th. I will find out more this afternoon and keep ya posted.”

“I just got word that the ruling by Gray Davis was overturned...the class is back on.

I am going to the Devastated Area on Friday and ski my brains out!”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Have you gone to the Dogs. LOL”

“Gee would some one like a telephone co. I will give you mine!”

“What was your question? LOL!”

“Question? looks more like a stutter.”

“Your barking up the wrong tree.....





I'm soooooo sorry for that, couldn't help it.”

“These are not our kind of people/dogs. They don't alow any drinking at their exersises. I mean how can you bay at the moon sober.”