The Devastated Area sits along the park highway where the 1915 eruption of Lassen Peak stripped the eastern slope bare. A half-mile accessible loop trail with waysides crosses the recovering blast zone.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
During the 1915 to 1916 eruptions, a lahar (a mudflow of mud, earth, and rock) swept down the slopes of Lassen Peak and scoured this forested area to bare ground, leaving little but broken trees. More than a hundred years later, forest has grown back across much of the once-barren ground.
What to See
A half-mile accessible loop trail runs through the area, with waysides describing the eruption and the recovery that followed. The trail is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all ages.
Know Before You Go
The site has vault toilets, picnic tables, and parking. There is no fee for the trail itself, though an entrance fee or valid pass is required to enter the park.