Lassen and the baby volcanoes

Lassen is located over a hot spot and it’s famous for its geological activity. Ixchel was introduced to sulphur-smelling mudpots that spewed gray mud. We told her they were baby volcanoes and she asked where their mommy and poppy were. The drive across the park is filled with awe-inspiring views, especially that of Mt. Lassen itself, a sleeping giant. We had lunch next to Manzanita lake where Ixchel went for a skinny dip along with Stephanie (who kept her clothes on). As we left Lassen behind we took a route that took us across Modoc County in California’s northeastern corner. I had always wondered what this remote section of the state looked like. We went through high elevation conifer forests, brushland and agriculture. It was much greener than I had imagined. Due to a train derailment we took an unexpected detour that took us through some backcountry unpaved roads. I became a bit worried because with all the weight our clearance is pretty low, but fortunately though unpaved, the road was even and we got to enjoy views of rustic farmland. After crossing the Oregon border we finally reached our destination of Klamath Falls where we spent the night at the Maverick motel where we had a chance to shower and organize ourselves and I used the wireless connection to post to our blog.

El parque Lassen se encuentra sobre una zona geologica muy activa. Ixchel quedó muy impresionada de ver un “volcancito” que escupía lodo con olor a azufre. La carretera que cruza el parque sube hasta una altura de 8000 pies (2450 m) donde disfrutamos vistas panorámicas de un denso bosque en el valle y de la imponente montaña Lassen que es un volcán dormido. Antes de salir de Lassen almorzamos al lado del lago Manzanita donde observamos a pescadores en busca de truchas. Ixchel y Estefany decidieron darse un chapuzón. Metí los pies pero el agua estaba tan helada que hasta dolía. Seguimos nuestra aventura en el condado de Modoc en el extremo noreste de California. Cruzamos bosques en zonas de alturra y agricultura en los valles. Después de un rato finalmente llegamos a la frontera y entramos al estado de Oregón. Esa noche nos hospedamos en el pequeño pueblo de Klamath Falls. El pueblo tiene un bonito centro histórico donde cenamos en un restaurante italiano.