At each park, we seek out the most amazing views, spectacular geographic features and iconic hikes… within our physical (and time) constraints. There is often debate on the Davis team whether we can do the black trails. A trail is black due to: greater than 20% grade (doable), narrow path with steep drops (debatable), technical climbing requirement (improbable) or extreme distance (can’t do). Lassen Peak, a 5 mile, 2000 ft climb, was black do to very steep grades, loose rock path and narrow path with steep drops… it was also to highest and most recommended peak in then park. After significant debate, the family voted 2-1 to do the hike… and it was outstanding. The views of the northern Sierra Mountains and surrounding valleys were breath taking. When we reached the top of the 10,000+ ft volcano, my legs were jelly. The next day, we viewed the hydrothermal features. We did Bumpass Hell trail to Cold Boiling Lake Trail. The boiling ponds and steaming streams of bumpass hell we super cool (or super hot :p). The extra 3 miles to see the cold boiling lake was probably a lemon that wasn’t worth the squeeze.
