Bumpass Hell, Lassen Volcanic National Park

Possibly the most popular hike in the park, the parking lot for Bumpass Hell fills up pretty rapidly.

If you're short of a parking spot you could probably grab one if you just hang out for a few minutes, or alternatively there are some more spaces on the East side of neighboring Lake Helen, and you can pick up the trail a little further along.

The beginning of the trail is well signed at the entrance to the parking lot, and proceeds in an Easterly direction on a nice level trail.

Here you'll find one of the classic views of Lassen Peak, reflected in the blue waters of Lake Helen.

The trailhead for the 5-mile Lassen Peak hike is only a short distance away, and makes a great companion hike if you have energy and time enough for two adventures in one day.

There's much more to this short hike than just our destination. The trail winds around the sides of a valley over a 1000ft deep, and looks across to the peaks of both Brokeoff and Diller Mountains.

After cresting a small hill, the trail descends appropriately into Bumpass Hell.

Walking down into this steaming cauldron of bubbling mud pots, smelly sulfuric vents and boiling pools of water looks decidedly other-worldlike.

A network of sturdy boardwalks and guardrails make this place a safe and great way of exploring this dramatic landscape.