Lassen Volcanic Runs With Red
Knotweed, Lassen Volcanic National Park (9/16/16) Shanda Ochs
Lassen Volcanic National Park’s hills run with red knotweed in late summer.
Shanda Ochs, a guide at the national park (which is located east of Redding and that commemorated its 100th anniversary on August 9) reports “The Park is seeing some fall color at 7,000′ and higher elevations.”
Because this national park has a volcanic landscape, much of it is austere, though bright color pops on autumn days… particularly along its hillsides and in its meadows where cadmium-yellow rabbitbrush, crimson knotweed, white pearly everlastings and golden and rust-colored grasses are seen peaking in the waning days of summer and early autumn.
The rabbitbrush, pearly everlastings and knotweed peak are about past peaking. Technically, they are late blooming wild flowers rather than true “autumn color.” Though because of their timing, we classify them as fall color.
California Trivia: Did you know that California has a seven-month spring? That’s because wildflowers bloom in California from March to September. It’s all because of our wide range of elevations, from sea level to over 14,000′. That’s the same reason California can claim the longest and most diverse autumn on Earth.
Lassen’s show continues with a variety of willows, some quaking aspen and alder appearing, particularly around Manzanita Lake.
Autumn meadow, Lassen Volcanic National Park (9/16/16) Shanda Ochs
Knotweed, Lassen Volcanic National Park (9/16/16) Shanda Ochs
Autumn meadow, Lassen Volcanic National Park (9/16/16) Shanda Ochs
Here are the park’s autumn centennial events:
- Sat., Sept. 17 – Art & Wine of Lassen | 11 am – 4 pm | Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center – Celebrate local art, wine, and music at Lassen. Returning for its seventh year, this popular event featuring local businesses is held at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center. Taste wine from local vineyards, sample products from regional entrepreneurs, and enjoy music from local artists. Tasting fee includes a commemorative glass.
- Sat., Sept. 24 – Public Lands Day of Stewardship Projects (Centennial event) | September 24 | Park-wide – Enjoy free park entrance in celebration of Public Lands Day and give back to the national park by participating in a service day in the park.
This day also kicks off the National Park Service Centennial PhotoBlitz on National Public Lands. CLICK HERE for more about entering your photos in the contest.
- Klamath Network Parks Exhibition (Centennial event) | September 30 –January 2, 2017 | Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding – Northern California and southern Oregon are home to seven national parks. A standing autumn and early winter exhibit at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding lets museum visitors “tour” them all. What an easy way to learn about the park, while also visiting Redding’s amazing Sundial Bridge, designed by famed architect Santiago Calatrava.
GO NOW! Peak (75-100%) – Lassen Volcanic National Park – ground cover plants (knotweed, rabbitbrush, meadow grasses).
Just Starting (0-10%) – Lassen Volcanic National Park – Alder, quaking aspen, cottonwood and willows.