Saturday, September 18, 2010

mount lassen

our sixth grade camping trip

This second week of September, the sixth graders of Davis Waldorf School spent three days in magnificent Lassen Volcanic Park. The feel of cinders crunching at our feet as we climbed Cinder Cone or inhaling the sulfur from fumaroles at Bumpass Hell allows their study of geology to live in their hearts. Our itinerary included a picnic at serene Lake Helen, a hike into steamy Bumpass Hell, and an epic climb up Cinder Cone.

The following images, taken by me, were inspired by B.F. Loomis' photographs of the 1915 eruption of Mount Lassen, on display as giant black and white photos in the Loomis Museum at the northern entrance of the park.



Lassen is rich in geological treasures.


The dynamic landscape is in a cycle of decay and growth.


We camped on the edge of secluded and picturesque Summit Lake.


Our campsite may have had forest nymphs watching over us!


As we hiked on trails, there were amazing views in all directions...

And lots of rocks.


This is on the way to Bumpass Hell.


The intrepid chaperones paused on the Bumpass Hell boardwalk -
where are the children?

Oh, there they are!


Cinder Cone is a 750 foot tall cone volcano, whose steep climb is like
scaling a tall sand dune.

The wind was wild and the views were spectacular from the crater rim.


We conquered Cinder Cone, and brilliantly documented the shoes that got us there!

1 comment:

Sidonie said...

An amazing place to experience...I can feel the energy just looking at the photos...