(0.4 mile)
48 HOT ROCK is one of the many large boulders carried from the top of
Lassen Peak. In the mudflow of May 19, 1915, these boulders were known
to the local people as “hot rocks” because they retained their heat for
several days. These which were buried in the mudflow material formed
enough steam to cause funnel-shaped “eruption pits” in the mud overlying
them. These pits can still be seen by careful searching in the upper
portion of the Devastated Area.
[Illustration: The Lassen Park Road is closed in winter beyond the
skiing area at No. 3 in the Road Guide.
—NPS photo by R. C. Milne]
[Illustration: When the road is finally opened in early June,
visitors drive through 20 ft. deep canyons of snow.
—NPS photo by R. C. Milne]
[Illustration: Brokeoff Mountain, described at No. 7 in the Road
Guide, is part of the remnants of ancient Mt. Tehama.
—NPS photo by R. C. Milne]
[Illustration: A good place to photograph Lassen Peak at sunset is
at Reflection Lake, No. 65 in the Road Guide.
—NPS photo by R. C. Milne]
The numerous log and boulder jams were built up behind obstacles as the
mudflow began to lose its tremendous size and momentum. The new forest
growth is partly obscuring this feature, and before long all traces of
the devastation will be obscured.
(0.4 mile)
49 LOST CREEK CROSSING. This stream has cut a trench not only through
Lassen’s recent mudflow, but through earlier ones, some of which were
separated by rather long periods of time. Upstream can be seen two lower
layers of tree stumps, still erect and in place, laid bare by the
erosive action of Lost Creek.
This is also a good place to observe the activities of the water ouzels.
The Nobles Trail parallels the road a short distance to the east. It was
in use until completion of the main road through the park in 1934.
(0.1 mile)
50 WEST BOUNDARY OF THE DEVASTATED AREA. The Great Hot Blast did not
affect this area and only the effect of the mudflow of May 19, 1915, is
visible. Recent growth of vegetation is healing the scars, but a change
in soil, distribution of battered-down logs, barked tree trunks, and the
change in the profile of the stream-cut bank across Lost Creek can still
be seen.
(0.6 mile)
51 The LOST CREEK DIVERSION DITCH is below on the outside edge of the
road. It was dug by Italian labor crews for the Shasta Power Company as
a part of a water collection system for Battle Creek electrical
development before this region became a National Park.
(0.1 mile)
52 On the inside bank of this turn, above the road, is a cross section
of the LOST CREEK DIVERSION DITCH. The eruption of Lassen Peak on May
19, 1915, ended a long controversy between the power companies and the
pioneer settlers regarding water rights by destroying, shortly after
completion, the whole intake section at a point not far from here,
upstream.
(0.9 mile)
53 In this area and on the slope above is an intermediate step in
NATURAL REFORESTATION after a fire. The luxuriant growth of young white
fir and jeffrey pine has been possible through soil stabilization and
moisture retention accomplished by shrubs.
(0.5 mile)