Bumpass Hell is the largest area containing geothermal features in Lassen Volcanic National Park, and is part of the region once covered by the ancient volcano Mount Tehama. It received its curious name from a disgruntled explorer, who lost a leg after falling into a boiling pool, and may be reached today from a well-marked 1.5 mile trail that starts from a parking area opposite Lake Helen, just 2 miles south of Lassen Peak near road marker 17. Bumpass Hell is definitely one of the highlights of the park, and there is rather more to see than at the Sulphur Works, on the main road.
The Path: The path is quite easy, and crosses generally rocky land with some tree cover, and without much change in elevation. However, the route is closed by snow for most of the year, and even in summer some slippery patches may remain. The active area can be seen (and smelt!) from some distance away - a wide basin filled with various steaming pools and unusual multi-hued soils, stained orange, brown, yellow and green by sulphur and other chemicals. Together with the occasional white snow patches, the (usually) deep blue sky and the aquamarine waters, the spectacle is extremely beautiful and colorful.
The Basin: There is a good overall view from a point at the top of the basin, before the trail descends. Several raised wooden walkways traverse the unstable ground and lead towards particular points of interest. Most noticeable are several large hot pools, gray-blue in color and up to 10 meters across, often with simmering, bubbling water in places. There are also many mudpots of varying viscosity; some are quite thin and effervesce vigorously whereas others have the consistency of treacle and plop every few seconds. Other features include small water fountains, steaming soil, noisy fumaroles (sulphurous steam vents) and a stream with warmish acidic water that flows out of the basin.
Geothermal Features: Bumpass Hell, and Lassen National Park in general, has 3 of the 4 main types of geothermal feature (fumaroles, mudpots and hot springs); the only phenomena missing are geysers, since these require rather specific conditions of rock type, sub-soil temperature and water depth. They are however found in great abundance in the remarkable Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, which also has much more of every other type of thermal activity, but Lassen has a greater sense of tranquility, is more compact and has the added attraction of volcanic features. It is probably of no immediate concern, but some of the hot pools at Lassen are becoming gradually hotter and so future eruptions seem possible.
Similar Places: Other volcanic areas that are part of the National Park system include the
Lava Beds, 80
miles north of Lassen, and the
Mojave Preserve, both in California, Craters of the Moon in Idaho,
Sunset Crater in Arizona and the
El Malpais Lava Beds in New Mexico.
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