Sunday, June 12, 2022

Cinder Cone Hiking Trail ↔ The Painted Dunes & Fantastic Lava Beds ↔ Lassen Volcanic National Park

Long time no see!

I'm so excited to be back in nature after my two-year hiatus due to the pandemic!

cinder cone hiking trail lassen volcanic national park

In true Vaughn all-or-nothing fashion, we chose to hike the Cinder Cone as our first venture back out into the great wide wilderness. This isn't the easiest hike because of the steep incline and sandy/rocky path, but the 360-degree views at the top offer a fabulous payoff.

cinder cone hiking trail lassen volcanic national park

We arrived at the trailhead just as the sun was coming up and didn't see anyone else until we came back down the volcano.

cinder cone hiking trail lassen volcanic national park

How wonderful to have the entire place to ourselves!

cinder cone hiking trail lassen volcanic national park

This hike took us about four hours, but that's only because we were enjoying the view so much that we walked around the entire Cinder Cone a second time and weren't in a hurry to get back home.

cinder cone hiking trail lassen volcanic national park

It was so incredibly quiet at the top--the perfect atmosphere to take in the sights of the beautiful Painted Dunes, almost otherworldly Fantastic Lava Beds, and Lassen Peak standing tall in the distance.

Here's to many more enjoyable hikes in Lassen VNP this year!


 


Let's go on an adventure!






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