Lassen in Spring 3: From Emerald Lake to Chaos Crags
21 07 15 19:39 Filed in: Travelogue
In the first post of this series, I discussed Manzanita Lake. In the series’ second post I discussed Sulphur Works. In this post, we will discuss the highlights of what lies between these two places on Route 89 that passes through the park:
We start with so-called Emerald Lake—which perhaps should have been called “green” lake, but emerald sounds nicer:
From there, we go to Helen Lake, which basks under the watchful gaze of Mount Lassen. In the springtime, it’s usual for Helen Lake to be frozen over:
Once we pass through the Mount Lassen area of the park, we begin to descend through a series of switchbacks. That’s when Reading Peak comes into view:
Then we pass by Upper Meadow:
Then after passing miles through forested areas, with vista views to the east, we come upon Hat Lake:
The final highlight before reaching Manzanita Lake area is Chaos Crags and Chaos Jumbles:

We start with so-called Emerald Lake—which perhaps should have been called “green” lake, but emerald sounds nicer:
From there, we go to Helen Lake, which basks under the watchful gaze of Mount Lassen. In the springtime, it’s usual for Helen Lake to be frozen over:
Once we pass through the Mount Lassen area of the park, we begin to descend through a series of switchbacks. That’s when Reading Peak comes into view:
Then we pass by Upper Meadow:
Then after passing miles through forested areas, with vista views to the east, we come upon Hat Lake:
The final highlight before reaching Manzanita Lake area is Chaos Crags and Chaos Jumbles:

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