August 3 - Drakesbad

Walking north from highway 36 you enter Lassen National Forest where the trail is mostly flat and easy. Some miles into the walk you enter Lassen Volcanic National Park, but you'd never know it unless you saw the sign as the landscape doesn't change. That is, the physical landscape stays the same, but the olfactory landscape definitely gives you strong clues that you've entered an active geologic region. The sulfur rotten egg smell is apparent miles before encountering the boiling stream and geyser or the Boiling Pot Lake. As I passed these features the number of tourists on the trail increased with each passing mile. In the vicinity of Drakesbad Guest Ranch the tourists took over the walkways and trails until I reached the resort dining area where I was to pick up my resupply package. The kids from the Czech Republic here on work visas were happy to help me retrieve my box and get me beer and ice water. The boss came by later with the trail register and an offer of all-you-can-eat dinner until it's gone which I was happy to sign up for. Other hikers soon arrived and we sat around talking about hiker things; who did we see, where was our last resupply, how was Chester, what's next on the trail, where to get a beer, how hot is the pool, what's for dinner? 

I signed up for a campsite at the National Park camping area and invited anyone who was staying to join me and Domedtic down there. After an awesome barbecue dinner followed by a ranger talk we sat around the campfire until the guests retired. Then, in response to a rousing political discussion Dainty suggested we exit for the pool and go for a swim. About ten of us did so. When the manager showed up to shush us we headed for the campground. In the morning bodies littered the landscape as many slept in. 

Boiling Pot Lake

Outside dining and beer garden. 

Ranger talk. 

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