Starting Point: Drakesbad Lodge
Distances: 1.5 miles one way
Topography: Gradually uphill 300 feet
Time: 2½ hours for the round trip
Features: Flowers, forest, hydrothermal activity
[Illustration: Trail map]
This hydrothermal area is larger than the Sulphur Works, smaller than
Bumpass Hell, and differs from both. Hot Springs Creek runs through the
area, and on a shelf just above this creek are a number of mudpots.
Whoever named this area apparently imagined the devil cooking over these
pots. The area extends above and beyond the mudpots with a number of
steam vents on the side of the hill. And at the lower end are a group of
trees which were killed quite recently when new vents opened up. In
exploring the hot springs area, hikers should be extremely careful as
crusts may be thin and trails thru the area have not been established.
The trail to Devil’s Kitchen crosses a meadow near Drakesbad (where one
should look for wildflowers) and enters the forest. Just beyond the
meadow are some dead snags where marmots are frequently seen. Further
along, just below the trail and in the creek are some beaver dams.
This is an excellent trail for those interested in biology and geology.
Trails not described in the booklet:
Kings Creek to Drakesbad, 5 miles, downhill
Around Butte and Snag lakes via Cinder Cone, 13 miles
Butte Lake to Rainbow and Twin lakes, 7 miles
Summit Lake to Rainbow and Snag Lakes, 6 and 8 miles
Juniper Lake to Jakey Lake, 3 miles
Juniper Lake to Jakey, Widow, and Butte lakes, 12 miles
Around Juniper Lake, 5½ miles
Drakesbad to Drake Lake, 1½ miles
Kings Creek to Twin Meadows, 2½ miles
These trails are shown on the topographic map of Lassen Volcanic
National Park.
Experienced hikers may want to visit places not on the trails, and with
a topographic map as a guide should be able to go to a number of places
in comparative safety. But beginners should stick to the established
trails. Before venturing off the trails one should consult with a park
ranger.