The recent tragic death from a rockfall/avalanche on the Lassen Peak Trail has led Lassen Volcanic National Park officials to close the last 1.2 miles of the trail to the summit of Lassen Peak.
From a Lassen Volcanic National Park press release:
The first 1.3 miles of the 2.5 mile Lassen Peak Trail in Lassen Volcanic National Park is to open for the public on Friday, August 14. The popular trail has been closed since an accident that occurred on the afternoon of July 29. “The first 1.3 mile of Lassen Peak Trail to reopen will provide opportunities for visitors to experience hiking on this large volcano and affords many views of the surrounding landscape,” stated the Superintendent. “The remaining portion of the trail will remain closed this season, and work to reopen the trail to the summit will begin during the spring of 2010.”
Note that there’s no clear date when the entire trail will be open again.
Lassen Peak and Lake Helen in Lassen Volcanic National Park. (Photo courtesy of USGS)
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Despite the bizarre tragedy, is this trail really that dangerous?
Twitter: @TheJohnSoares
I can’t say. It will likely take some geologists with experience in slope stability to truly get a good handle on the potential for more rockfalls in the near future.
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