Wandering in Bumpass Hell

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First View of Bumpass Hell © 2013 Bo Mackison

Bumpass Hell is a geothermal area that spans 16 acres in Lassen Volcanic National Park. It has various hot springs, fumaroles, and mud pots accessible by a 3 mile trail. What a sight, once the thermals are in sight.

Bumpass Hell

Thermals © 2013 Bo Mackison

The area is named after Kendall Bumpass, a cowboy who lived in the Lassen area in the 1860s. One day Bumpass stumbled upon the area and he was injured when one of his legs broke through the thin thermal crust. He told his friends and townspeople about it, describing it as “hell.”

Bumpass Hell

The Reward at the End of Bumpass Hell Trail © 2013 Bo Mackison

Bumpass Hell Thermals

Wandering in Bumpass Hell © 2013 Bo Mackison

Bumpass Hell Thermals

Boardwalk through Bumpass Hell Thermals © 2013 Bo Mackison

Boardwalks wander through the thermal area, often with no side rails. it’s a bit daunting to realize that one misstep and the fall could result in severe injuries. But it does give one a clear view of the marvels of the thermals.

Thermal Creek

Kings Creek – Thermal Waters © 2013 Bo Mackison

The creek running south from the thermals is a milky white, carrying minerals and hot water.

Bumpass Hell Thermals

Bumpass Hell Thermals © 2013 Bo Mackison

Wandering in Bumpass Hell

Walk on the Wild Side © 2013 Bo Mackison

 

Wandering in Bumpass Hell

Bumpass Hell © 2013 Bo Mackison

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Green Vegetation in Bumpass Hell © 2013 Bo Mackison

Some of the areas near the thermals are cool enough to allow vegetation to grow close to the hot springs.

The descriptions were abbreviated because, not only are the National Parks closed during the budget battles, but the National Park websites are also down.

Instead of descriptions, just enjoy the photo travelogue of Bumpass Hell Thermal Area in Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.

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Bo Mackison is photographer, book-artist, collector of stories, naturalist, curator and owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Enjoyed hiking the Bumpass Hell trail when I visited California in August.

Sunrise at Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park

Viewing Black Sand Basin © 2010 Bo Mackison

Black Sand Basin is a rather isolated group of thermal features in the Upper Geyser Basin in Yellowstone National Park. There are several jewel colored pools and geysers in the area, but I had a hard time concentrating on the specific geysers because the earliest light from the sunrise hitting the steam in 40˚F weather had turned this area, already a Wonderland, into a gigantic, purplish-yellow kaleidoscope of almost unnatural, but dazzling color.

There were only two other visitors at this time of the day, but it was one of the highlights of my three days in Yellowstone. Later, when I watched Old Faithful–the big geyser draw in the park–amongst a noisy crowd of onlookers, I kept thinking I had already seen the real show — at sunrise in Black Sand Basin.