Widerness Press Lassen Volcanic National Park: A Complete Hiker's Guide (Paperback)

~ Mike White (Author)
Key Phrases: canyon route, ponderosa way, rim trail, Lassen Peak, National Park, Lassen Scenic Byway Trips (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The guide to the hikers' paradise of Lassen Volcanic National Park--with its still-active geologic wonders, wildflower-carpeted meadows, forest-rimmed lakes, crystalline streams, and view-packed summits--has been completely updated and expanded, with new trips, photos, and maps to complement the user-friendly design of the popular Wilderness Press National Park series. Revamped by veteran Wilderness Press author Mike White, this comprehensive guide features 95 dayhike and backpack trips to popular sites such as Lassen Peak and Bumpass Hell and little-known backcountry gems like the Bucks Lake Wilderness Loop.

Not only does this book describe trips to gorgeous vistas like the Thousand Lakes Valley or intriguing volcanic features like the remnants of ancient Mt. Tehama and the bubbling mudpots of Sulphur Works, it includes walks through history along the Nobles Emigrant Trail, which was used by early pioneers seeking riches in gold and timber. Also included are trips into regions surrounding the Park, including the Hat Creek Recreation Area, greater Susanville-Chester area, Warner Valley, Butte Lake, and Drakesbad regions, McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, plus the Thousand Lakes, Caribou, Ishi, and Bucks Lake wilderness areas.

• Includes the popular "Lassen Scenic Byway Road Log," keyed to the Park's roadside markers and points of interest.
• There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails within the park, and the trails in this book range from a simple, 0.2-mile stroll through Sulphur Works to a strenuous 19.3-mile loop in the remote eastern part of the Park.

About the Author

Mike White was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He learned to hike in the Cascades and honed his outdoor skills while attending Seattle Pacific University. After college, Mike relocated to the high desert of Nevada, where he was drawn to the beautiful and sunny Sierra.

In the early 1990s Mike began writing about the outdoors full time. He expanded Wilderness Press' Trinity Alps, and then wrote his first guide, Nevada Wilderness Areas and Great Basin National Park. Subsequent books included the Wilderness Press Snowshoe Trails series, Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Backpacking Nevada, and Top Trails Lake Tahoe, which won the Benjamin Franklin Award in 2005. His most recent works include 50 Classic Hikes in Nevada, and he collaborated on updated versions of Sierra North and Sierra South. Mike has also contributed to Backpacking California and has written for Sunset and Backpacker magazines and the Reno Gazette-Journal. He teaches hiking and snowshoeing classes at Truckee Meadows Community College and is a featured speaker for outdoor groups.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Press (March 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899974708
• ISBN-13: 978-0899974705
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #744,394 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Hiking and Driving Guide, July 26, 2008

By	Fritz R. Ward "dayhiker" (Crestline, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Lassen Volcanic National Park is very much a day hiker's paradise. Large enough to lose oneself in (Mike White suggests that the park offers a full square mile per backpacker; nowhere near as crowded as many popular Yosemite destinations) but small enough that almost every destination can be reached by stong dayhikers. It's location in the Southern Cascades means it is biologically diverse, containing many Sierran plants at the northern end of their range and many others that are more common to the north. Mountains, waterfalls, meadows and numerous lakes make this one of the best outdoor destinations in California. This new book from Mike White, outdoor community college instructor and one of the more prolific Wilderness Press authors, covers Lassen and the surrounding region, including Burney Falls and Buck Lake Wilderness, in meticulous detail.

White's book, as the subtitle suggests, is an excellent hikers guide. Trails range from nature walks of less than a quarter mile to a 19 mile loop best suited for backpacking. Sharp black and white photos grace the text and route descriptions are accurate. Unlike other hiking guides, this one also includes an auto tour. Chapter 4 is devoted to the "Lassen Scenic Byway Log" and offers those who don't feel up to extensive on foot explorations the opportunity to experience this highly accessible portion of the Cascade range. Even if you count yourself in this group, however, I strongly recommend getting out and taking a stroll along some of the Park's nice nature trails. Lassen has done an excellent job with scenic overlooks, roadside displays, and short trails. The park service deserves a lot of credit for their efforts and this chapter notes many of these locations, as well as the trailheads for longer hikes.

Lassen is very much a summer only park. Snow remains on Lassen peak year round and while winter skiing is an option, hikers can really expect good weather only July-September. Nonetheless, this is wonderful destination. The view of Lassen Peak reflected in Manzanita Lake in the evening is a scene not to be missed. White dedicates this book to friends who taught him the gift of "walking by faith." Lassen Volcanic is the perfect place to experience this phenomena.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent hiking guide, October 27, 2009

By	James C. Sellers "J. Sellers" (Oregon) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this book on the strength of having used Mike White's hiking guides to Sequoia and King's Canyon national parks. Like those, the Lassen book is excellent, especially for the person who lives a distance away and wants to suitable select hikes before going. The guide gives excellent detail, good maps, level of difficulty and of course routine elements such as distance and elevation gain. We used the guide during a four-day hiking trip in Lassen during September 2009. I only hope the author applies his skills to other national parks.