introduction

Smith River Redwoods

pre-trip blog

the trip starts...

NYC pied-a-terre

Manitou Springs, CO

Philadelphia, PA

February 2 -- Mount Shasta City, CA to Susanville, CA

From Mt. Shasta it was on to nearby Mount Lassen, the third tallest peak in California at 10,457 feet for -- can you guess it now? -- more high-altitude pranayama/meditation/prayer/Reiki ritual. Mt. Lassen is also a dormant volcano. It last erupted in 1913 or thereabouts.

Lassen, though not as intimidating as Shasta, has its own rugged beauty. Its red-brown volcanic rock outcroppings jut out of the mountain, in stark contrast to the pristine snowfall draping it. Again, I hiked about a quarter-mile from the highest trailhead still accessible by auto. Too cold for naked sunbathing, though.

As I exited Lassen Volcanic National Park around sunset, I caught Mt. Lassen and one of its siblings in true "purple mountain majesty". Northern California has incredible, raw beauty at incredible elevations.

There will be more to come.

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