Neighbor98380 Wrote:
We are thinking of making a short trip to Lassen on our way to Susanville. We would arrive in the afternoon, spend the night in a local motel, visit the park the next day and leave in the evening for Susanville. Questions: (1) Is Lassen worth going out of the way for? Is it scenic with lots of forests, or simply a lot of rocky volcanic scenery? (2) Are there an abundance of motels in the area? (3) Is it pet friendly? Can we take our four-legged friend on the trails? (4) Are there lots of easy hiking trails for young children and dogs? Picnic areas? Etc... (5) How are the roads around there? Windy and mountainous, or not too bad? (6) Does the park get crowded on Memorial Day weekend, or is it so isolated that it's not as popular as Yosemite and other national parks? For Reno... We would arrive in the afternoon, spend the night in a local motel, visit the city the next day and leave in the evening for Susanville. Questions: Are there places in Reno that are pet and child friendly, we'll both our two-legged and four-legged boys with us? Places like parks, trails, etc...? Or is everything casinos and gambling? Thanks!

Louise Wrote:
Reno has changed in the past 10 years or so. The Truckee River downtown is fun - there is a small park, restaurants, kayaking, a movie theater, etc. There are more parks in town and just outside town. This website has information about dog-friendly parks: http://www.dogfriendly.com/ server/travel/uscities/guides/w/cities/wonlinecityNVReno.shtml If you are staying on a Sunday - Thursday night, you can get the best prices at motels. I like the coupon discounts at http:// www.roomsaver.com (they have a coupon for the Holiday Inn for $69.99 and Days Inn for $45.99. You can't reserve ahead of time to get these rates, it's walk-in only. Other hotel coupon sites are: http://www.hotelcouponguide.com/city2.asp?st=NV&area=Reno http://www.hotelcoupons.com/results_hotel.asp?psCity=Reno&ST=NV Have a great trip!

Neighbor105294 Wrote:
Laseen is not nearly as crowded as Yosemite but still a popular stop. It has a variety of sites, forest in abundance, some lakes and volcanic-related areas (Bumpass Hell) with sulfur pools, formations, etc. There are a variety of hiking trails both easy and more strenuous (hike to peak was fantastic - easy when I was a teen but tougher as middle age took hold). The roads are fine - national park standard so not too windy or mountainous. The park is great for the family, beautiful scenery and will give you lasting memories. Don't know much about motels or pets - might want to do a Google search. Have fun!

Neighbor105403 Wrote:
I think Lassen is a great park and would highly recommend it. However, you need to be sure the roads are open and snow cleared. Several years ago, we went the weekend after the roads opened and it was quite fun. Temps were in the 80s and 90s and there was up to 15 or 20 feet of snow on the side of the roads in some areas. Here's the latest: "The main park road is still closed for the season due to snow and ice coverage. Projected complete opening will be by Memorial weekend in May. The snowplow crew began plowing the road from the Loomis Ranger Station to the Devastated Area on Thursday, March 6th. Circulation routes around Manzanita Lake have been plowed including the campground. The Main Park Road is open to traffic from the northwest entrance at Manzanita Lake to the Devastated Area. (10 miles distance)." http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/lassen_roadsandtrails.htm

CatWoman Wrote:
Questions: 1) Is Lassen worth going out of the way for? Is it scenic with lots of forests, or simply a lot of rocky volcanic scenery? (2) Are there an abundance of motels in the area? (3) Is it pet friendly? Can we take our four-legged friend on the trails? (4) Are there lots of easy hiking trails for young children and dogs? Picnic areas? Etc... (5) How are the roads around there? Windy and mountainous, or not too bad? (6) Does the park get crowded on Memorial Day weekend, or is it so isolated that it's not as popular as Yosemite and other national parks? You may be asking the wrong person some of those questions... 1) HELL yes! Well - it has a lot of rocks, areas of thermal (steam) activity, a walk to a cold boiling lake, and another walk to the highest point in the state in that is easy to get to. You can see Diablo on a clear day. 2) Not in the park proper - it's camping area. Susanville is on the lower right - and there are some hotels along the "bottom" of the park, but you'll mostly pass by the park main area. 3) Never tried to take a pet - I'd call first. I think that some friends took their dog - but not into the park itself. 4) Yes - the main entrance has a couple of trails that were even easy enough for my cane-using mom, though mostly she stayed at the parking lots. Even going up the peak - you can get some good views from just the first or second switchback. 6) Twisty in places - you're on the inside of Tehama. And at a high elevation. I wouldn't take a motorhome, but I've driven it in a small car myself and other than the elevation it's no worse than 29 over Helena to Clear Lake. 7) Could be - I think it's open this year - low snow year. There are years that the main road doesn't open until July, and can close in August. 8) I would go hiking with my dad from about age 8 or so, with my mom and brother back at the car. We had relatives in the area, so it was a no-brainer going up there. We didn't do much along the bottom side, so I know most about the other 3 sides. I'd love to retire to some place along Hat Creek, since they're not going to ever let me do a Harry Truman and live *under* the mountain! dg (take me with you??? 8-) )