Two Late Posts

I missed two Fridays of Fun Friday in our Blogging for Fun Group. Catching Up, I will be posting here two letters, V and W.

V is for very late volcanic post :( .

Lassen Peak Volcano and Lake Helen, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA, Summer 2009

Lassen Peak Volcano Reflected at Manzanita Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA, Summer 2009

Lassen Peak is considered the world's largest plug dome volcano that rises 2,000 ft to an elevation of 10,457 ft. This is a very beautiful and peaceful National Park located in North Central California. Aside from Lassen Peak Volcano, Lassen Volcanic National Park consists of 3 other types of volcanoes. Actually, all four types of volcanoes found in the entire world are represented in Lassen Volcanic National Park, these are:

1) shield - Prospect Peak Volcano

2) plug dome - Lassen Peak Volcano

3) cinder cone - Cinder Cone Volcano

4) composite- Broke-off Volcano

Visitation at this park is lowest in March and peaks in the summer. Right now, the Southwest entrance is covered with 130 inches of snow.

Visitor Center at the Southwest Entrance of Lassen Volcanic National Park ( March 24, 2010 )

photographed by: Shanda Ochs, from Lassen Volcanic National Park website

With this kind of snow approaching the end of March, it's no surprise why the peak visitation is in the summer. In fact, last year during summer, we visited this place and this was the condition of the trail to Bumpass Hell when we hiked.

Summer Hiking to Bumpass Hell @ Lassen Volcanic

(from my multiply album, summer 2009)

It is a place where hot and cold co-exist.

snow and steam @ Bumpass Hell

( from my multiply album, summer 2009)

Fumarole at Bumpass Hell 

( from my multiply album, summer 2009)

Sulfur Works, Lassen Volcanic National Park

( from my multiply album, summer 2009 )

Now, from V, on to W. From ice and steam, to wildflowers and waterfalls at San Diego River Canyon Trail. All pictures were taken from our hike last Sunday ( March 21, 2010).

Wildflowers and Waterfall @ Cedar Creek Falls,

San Diego River Canyon ( March 21, 2010)

The hike to this 80 ft waterfall in San Diego River Canyon starts from San Diego Country Estates in Ramona. The hike is about 4.5 miles round trip, with about 1200 ft elevation gain/loss. This is a reverse hike, meaning, starting from higher elevation, we go down to the bottom of the canyon at the river gorge, and on the way back is an uphill hike. Some portions of the trail going down the river is very steep, thus we always bring our hiking poles when we take this trail, 

and those who don't have hiking poles usually end up picking sticks here and there for their poles to help them in their uphill and downhill trek. Unlike last year where there are carpeting wildflowers, this year, because it warmed up late of the year, the chilly and strong winds depressed the wildflowers and instead promoted growth of more weeds. Nevertheless, though more weeds than wildflowers, hiking is still as inspiring and refreshing.

Refreshingly Green

Here are some more pictures of wildflowers and waterfalls from our hike last Sunday.

Kids Enjoying a Dive and Swim After a Hike 

Sunflowers Above the Waterfall

Sunflowers and the River Pool Below

Cedar Creek Falls

Me, Photographing the Yucca 

yucca

Owl's Clover

Poppies

Lupines

I am sorry if I can't update this site often now, having to balance both work and studying and also having classes on Saturdays take so much of my energy that I am not as inspired to sit down and blog in my free time. On my little free time, I prefer to be taking the trails instead and get rejuvenating energy and de-stress from the wonders of nature, enjoying the simple pleasures in life out of the doors. 

♥♥