leslieq

We're hikers but not campers...thinking about Lassen in mid October. We were last there years ago in April and got snowed out. What would the second week of October be like (guess, of course).

Know about Drakesbad. We live in the SF Bay Area and could stop at Lassen first or after visiting either Shasta area or Plumas county.

We did have a short hike around Manzanita Lake when there last and saw a tanager (sp?)...glorious colored bird have never seen since. Would love to revisit the lake, but how far is it from Bumpass Hell hike? Not sure what entrance to pick if we have a choice, Guess part of it depends on where we could find a place to stay,

Would love to hear from you...thanks!

Shanti

I went to Lassen last October and last weekend. The weather was lovely both times. In October, we stayed here: http://www.vrbo.com/248641. Really liked it and it was inexpensive. However, it's in Chester so it's a bit of a drive to Lassen.

Last weekend, we stayed at the cabins at Manzanita Lake: http://www.lassenrecreation.com/where_to_stay/index.php

The location was great but I have mixed feelings about the cabins. As my BF put it, the mattresses reminded him of the mattresses in baby cribs. But it's a wonderful location. And it's a fraction of what Drakesbad charges.

Manzanita Lake isn't that far of a drive from Bumpass Hell - if the road is open, but that shouldn't be a problem in October.

If you're also going to Shasta County, go to McArthur Burney State Park and see Burney Falls. It's about a 30 to 45 minute drive from Manzanita Lake and it's on the way to Shasta. Last weekend, we stayed one night in Dunsmuir and visited Burney Falls on our way to Manzanita Lake.

Lassen is beautiful and peaceful. I'm looking forward to going back.

spirobulldog

You really need 2 or 3 days to do Lassen justice. My 12 year old nephew and I stayed at Drakesbad last August. It was really cool. The main problem with it is that you have to drive about an hour just to get to the main area of the park. It is in a totally different area and I really didn't realize that.
If it were to do again I might stay a night in Drakesbad(do the horse ride there), and then a couple of nights in Mineral. We hiked Lassen Peak and a couple of hikes to some waterfalls. In August the flowers were amazing. We did not have time to hike to Cinder Cone, but it would be a good one too. We saw bears on 3 occasions up fairly close to us.

We also did Burney Falls, which I would rate right almost up there with the falls at Yosemite. Very awesome waterfall.

The hot swimming pool at the Drakesbad is nice. Very unusual place. The doors on your rooms don't have locks.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWFf
link to my photos. First 60 pics is of Lassen and Burney Falls
the rest are of The Redwoods

spirobulldog

On the 2nd picture those are flowers all over the hillside

leslieq

Spirobulldog and Shanti - Wow,what great advice. Just what's needed. Now have some lodging options to consider. We're definitely going to Burney Falls, too. One of my fave spots from camping as a kid. My hubby not a camper (but great hiker), so having some housing options that you both mentioned is really helpful. Thanks again to both of you for taking your time to help us.