As we 22 May at the southern entrance of Lassen Volcanic NP barriers faced closed, we had to change our itinerary much. Up to an altitude of 2600m road link leading to the north was due to the large amount of snow and closed in July. We decided then to drive along the Pacific coast to Canada and to visit only on his return from Alaska, the two National Parks Crater Lake and Lassen Volcanic. This decision was good! We were able to enjoy these highlights from the tour fabulous weather. For five weeks we have summer weather. Peter does not cease to spoil us.
CRATER LAKE NP
For days we are in the middle in a volcanic area that is larger than Switzerland. The Mount Mazama - on the map you will find him in vain, for it was no longer there! - Had built up over half a million years. About 7700 years of the throat after long-term eruptive activity was broken into.
Previously, he had thrown 150 times the mass (150 km3) of the eruption of Mount Saint Helens material (see blog of 7.6.). The collapsed crater - diameter 10 km - filled with melt and rain water, and now forms a lake with a depth of 593 m, the deepest lake in the United States. The lake level is at 1882 meters above sea level and is subject to annual fluctuations of 90 cm. The Crater Lake reminds us much of Santorini. ring out around this crater in 2100 - 2400 meters is a road (Rim Drive). Normally, the Rim Drive is closed from mid-September due to snow fall. We can hardly imagine today. In summer weather, we walk in Teva sandals, shorts and sleeveless T-shirts to the highest peak, Mt Scott (2721 m), where we have a - unfortunately affected by smoke something - enjoy panoramic views.
impressive and depressing at the same time, the forest fire on the southeast flank of the mountain, which was triggered by lightning in July and since then could not be deleted. Several dozen firefighters (both men and women) and a host of Vehicles are available for emergencies. It seems that the fire is under control and it is hoped the rain and snow, and bring the flame to extinction or suffocation. Unfortunately, the view is marred at times on the lake because of the smoke. On the east side (Matthew Scott), which remains spared from the smoke, you admire the deep blue of the lake.
The forest in southern Oregon is f. .. dry. A fiery gaze could unleash a forest fire. At the campground two women with young children have sparked a fire that makes a fire-August 1 credit. They throw screaming dry material in the flames. The sparks high into the trees. We have put the ignition key To leave immediately in case of fire to drive away. A miracle that the smoke detector in the RV has not been alert.
LAVA BEDS
The next day we cross the border into California.
In Tulelake we decide to visit the Visitor Center of the Tule Lake NWR. Then it goes south on # 42 From Wildlife Overlook, we see many water birds, especially pelicans, egrets, and probably some Red-tailed Hawks. On the way we see mule deer (one deer with large 'Donkey Ears'), twice a mother with two boys, once a kid with a lady. They drink water from the canal. For quite some time - with the exception of a doe at Lava Lake - we have not seen any more deer! We come then to the Lava Beds NM, a large lava field south of Tule Lake. During 100,000 years here poured out ever new craters, lava flows in a northerly direction. Since these flows cooled down at the edge, they formed tubes in the interior of the hot lava continued to flow. Came to a halt the flow showed a long lava tubes, some of which are now accessible. Some are up to 10 meters and as wide, some two-storey, others overlap. About 100 km2 have been declared a National Monument. At the same time is thought of Modoc Indians. This great tribe once inhabited a vast area around the Tule Lake. In the vast forests of the hinterland, there were plenty of wild game for them. The white settlers cleared, drained the marshy level to win region and crowded - with government help - the Modocs in the inhospitable north. A portion of these Indians returned, however, and retreated into the labyrinth of Lava Beds. The military pulled up with 600 men, 160 cannons and mortars against the Modoc warriors. Five months during the harsh winter of 1872/73, the Indians were able to keep their Lavafestung. Only 4 Indians lost their lives in war. A further 15 were hanged after the conclusion of peace - a sad chapter in U.S. history. With satisfaction we note that this issue very thoroughly and is worked self-critical.
In the burning sun, we walk the short trail at 0.5 miles Captain Jack's Stronghold, the Lava-haven of the Indians during the war. An illustrated brochure informs us about the history of these Indians, which ended tragically, as with any tribe.
go further on the journey I a snake, probably a rattlesnake. Only in the mirror I see that the line which I thought was an asphalt correction moves. It disappears but the same in the road embankment. I am glad that I did not run over, but without the risky maneuver between the rear axle 'taken' had.
In the night the rain was short. In the morning the ground is wet, but dries very quickly. The view is now very clear. We see in the north of Crater Lake. It blows a cool breeze and the thermometer rises above 20 degrees. Nevertheless, the sun burns as soon as there is no wind.
the morning the next day we lend our Visitor Center two powerful torches and purchase the booklet 'Lava Bed Caves' with the description of all the lava caves.
all day until sunset, we commit a cave after another. Beautiful is the flora. There is a kind of elder tree, the pale blue berries, another shrub of small, cherry-like fruit with yellow and Rabbitbrush much more. When , Symbol Bridge ', we see some beautiful icons, symbols of Modoc Rock carvings, their importance and age are unknown. The adjacent, Skull Cave '(man here has a plethora of animals, skulls', skulls, found), part of a 10-mile system is a deep cave. Several steps lead down into the depths, where year-round ice is. The railing and the floor is covered in ice! Accordingly, it is cold, but above 30 degrees Celsius!
The evening is wonderful. It has almost no people. Also on the campground is quiet. The next day, but it gets cold. A dry, icy wind blows from the north. The sky is covered. Do we have to protect us yesterday before the sun and the heat, we tremble now at 15 degrees and biting wind! In the night the temperature fell to freezing point.
Lassen Volcanic NP
cloudless day begins, a cool wind blows, the sun is burning. One day as to how to climb a three-thousand. The ascent of only 27,000 young volcano that erupted the last time 1915 is quite simple: 600 meters from the parking lot, located at 2600 meters. According brochure, Park News' has to be reckoned with 4-5 hours for ascent and descent. We create it in old mountain hare and a half hours. The higher we climb, the more the temperature. The afternoon sun is burning. 
lies on the edge of the crater still quite a lot of snow. The panorama is stunning: in the north at 75 miles distance of over 4200 m high Mt Shasta, the highest volcanic peaks of California in the west the Coast Range and the south, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. And all around forests as far as the eye! In the evening we are looking for a campground in the area, because we want to go again the next day in the NP. We are looking for a place in the forest, not on a lake, because there show over the weekend angler all places. Those looking for a place already in the forest? Of course, the hunters who pour quite a week here, their hunting success with fire water, before they chased a deer. After all: we find the very last place. And because it is cool now, it is quiet. Alcohol does not appear to protect against the cold.
RENO, VIRGINIA CITY, CARSON CITY
Although we do not have in mind, let us part, we go to Reno, Nevada. Shopping is a must! The ride from the forested mountains in the barren, parched plateau is disappointing. Of course, we note that in the dry and hot climate is not east of the Cascade Range and the Sierra Nevada of species richness and density are to be expected as the forests in the mountains. On the other hand, we now know that the exploitation of mineral resources of the forest area since the mid-19th Century was cleared massive, with no thought of reforestation. Unfortunately, this is usually concealed. The air is clear, the sight distance. Reno and Carson City, however, lie in a valley, which spreads over a Smogglocke. This is not surprising when you see the eight-lane highways that stretch across the two cities.
Virginia City is located at almost 2,000 m high. All around, the mountains are so worn that you could think that the moles had dug here. We continue
go southwest through the Sierra Nevada. This is-only in the north - crosses of six streets: from the Interstate 80, from about 3000m high Tiogapass (which we have sailed 2002), two other expressways and in the middle of the # 88 and # 4 Am 20.5. we were the # 88 drove to Lake Tahoe for the return trip, we chose the beautiful # 4 on the 2700m high Ebbett Pass, which is not shown on the little plan. After about 20 miles drive, we stop in front of a panel, which recommends the passage of vehicles over 25 feet. The road is "steep and narrow". Although our RV is 26 feet long, we risk the trip - and it's worth it. The route is scenic, the oncoming cars, we can count on one hand. But the road is actually winding, narrow and steep. It is more like an asphalt streets in our Alps. We need more time for the trip. But shortly before dark, we reached a campground in the forest.
The next day we are in Sonora and in the library have Internet access again. This is vemutlich the last message we send from America. On Friday we are in San Luis Obispo, the RV will be polished to high gloss. On Monday, 25.9. we fly back.
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