jan go photography

friday, 9/2

Start: Brokeoff Mountain parking lot near SW Entrance
Round Trip Distance: 7 miles
Round Trip Time: 7 hours
Terrain: uphill 2600 feet
Elevation: start: 6635 feet, end: 9235 feet 

Brokeoff Mountain trail offers sheer beauty and rugged mountain scenery. As access to the Lassen Peak trail is limited during its restoration through 2014, Brokeoff Mountain trail is an excellent alternative. Enjoy open meadows, dense forests, and panoramic views on this strenuous seven mile roundtrip hike. Enjoy views of the rim of former Mount Tehama, and Lassen Peak from this spectacular summit. 

camping: southwest campground

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saturday, 9/3

Start: Bumpass Hell parking lot
Round Trip Distance: 3 miles
Round Trip Time: 2 hours
Terrain: easy 300 foot descent
Elevation: 8000 feet
Trail Info:  bumpass hell 

Current Lassen Peak Trail Status (08/15/2011)
The Lassen Peak trail is currently Partially Open 1.3 miles to the Grandview area. Hikers must stay on the trail marked by wands. The trail is still partly snow-covered. The peak is closed to off-trail travel including snowboarding and skiing, see information on off-trail travel restriction below. 

Trail Info:  Lassen Peak Trail

camping: manzanita lake campground 

Manzanita Lake offers numerous recreation activities including hiking, swimming, bird watching, kayak rentals, and ranger-led programs. Pickup the Manzanita Lake trail at the Loomis Museum or boat launch trail, and follow the 1.5 mile trail around the picturesque mountain lake. The north end of the trail offers excellent views of Lassen Peak, Chaos Crags, and Eagle Peak. At the end of your day enjoy a night under the stars in one of our eight campgrounds.

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sunday, 9/4

day hikes:  

Cinder Cone volcano is a must-see if you have time for the drive. Cinder Cone is located in the Butte Lake area, about an hour drive from Manzanita Lake. Enjoy the challenge of climbing a cinder cone volcano on this strenuous four mile roundtrip hike. Hikers are awarded with spectacular views of the park including Lassen Peak, the Fantastic Lava Beds and the colorful Painted Dunes. Cinder Cone can also be viewed from afar from the shores of Butte Lake. Enjoy the swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, and hiking opportunities around Butte Lake.    

Warner Valley is an excellent day trip to a remote area of the park. Warner Valley features the only in-park lodge, Drakesbad Guest Ranch. The Ranch offers dining, massage, horseback riding, and a thermal pool – be sure to call ahead for reservations for lodge services. Warner Valley also provides access to a number of hydrothermal features including Boiling Springs Lake, Terminal Geyser, andDevils Kitchen. 

camping: summit lake campground

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campgrounds 

Backcountry camping is a wonderful way to enjoy the peace and quiet of wilderness any time of the year. The Cluster Lake Loop out starting from the Summit Lake area is a popular backpacking trip for families and first-time backpackers. Click here to apply for your backcountry wilderness permit.

See the full gallery on Posterous

To see most of the waterfalls, a 3.2-mile loop can be taken by going on Highland Trail and the Glen Leigh and Ganoga Glen sides of the trail. The trails follow along 21 beautiful waterfalls ranging in heights from 11 feet to 94 feet. The scenery is well worth the effort, however, the terrain is rocky, can be slippery, and descends steeply on both the Ganoga and Glen Leigh sides. 

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/rickettsglen/rickettsglen_trails.aspx

raodtrip

See more at:  http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/03/01/best.spring.flower.destinations/index.ht…

The New York Botanical Garden
When: March 5 to April 25
Where: Bronx, New York
Cost: $6 to $20

The New York Botanical Garden’s “The Orchid Show: On Broadway” utilizes a Tony award-winning set designer to bring the charm of the theater outdoors. The show stars 5,000 orchids.

“They’re spectacular in the spring,” Stark said. “They’re going to be focused on making sure everything is popping at the right time.”

There will be more than 300 types of orchids on display, showcased with high drama in curtains, arcades and chandeliers.

Philadelphia International Flower Show
When: March 6 to March 13
Where: Philadelphia
Cost: $15 to $30

With more than 2,000 entries, Philadelphia’s is the largest indoor flower show in the world.

“It’s just amazing beyond belief,” Hancock said. “The theme this year is springtime in Paris, so you know it’s going to have a very sophisticated feel.”

The show has progressed from its humble beginnings in 1829 to what it is today: 10 acres of beautiful blooms and diverse designs. Some of the major exhibitor presentations will be put together by the American Orchid Society, the Pennsylvania Bonsai Society and Tourism Ireland, to name a few.

“The atmosphere inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center is a celebration of early spring,” said Alan Jaffe, public relations manager for The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. “It’s not quite there on the calendar, but amid the spectacular displays and wonderful scents of fresh blooms, there is a sense of hope, renewal and excitement.”

National Cherry Blossom Festival
When: March 26 to April 10
Where: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free for most events

Commemorating the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to Washington, D.C., the National Cherry Blossom Festival is a celebration of the “lasting friendship between the United States and Japan and the continued close relationship between the two countries,” according to the website.

More than 1 million people visit each year to take in the blossoming cherry trees and attend events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade and the Lantern Walks.

The website estimates April 4 as the peak bloom date, though an accurate prediction won’t be available until 10 days before peak bloom. The blooming period can be as long as 14 days.

“The particular arrangement of the cherry blossom trees around the Tidal Basin and monuments is truly spectacular,” said Danielle Piacente, communications manager for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “When the cherry blossoms are in bloom, you know it’s springtime.”

Longwood Gardens
When: April 2 to May 27
Where: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Cost: $8 to $18

Longwood Gardens is one of the best-known gardens in the United States for a good reason: There are 1,050 acres of gardens and meadows, covered in 11,000 types of plants and more fountains than any other garden in the country.

“They draw audiences from long distances to see their spring blooms,” Stark said. Those blooms include azaleas, dogwoods, hyacinth, irises and tulips.

The 20 outdoor gardens are teeming with lively flowers and beautiful fountains, and cover about one mile in distance.

“There is a renewed energy and vibrancy at Longwood in early spring,” said Patricia Evans, a spokeswoman for Longwood Gardens. “Our visitors delight in seeing spring blossom throughout the outdoor gardens and to see the Longwood’s famed fountains once again jet to life.”

Denver Public Art

Denver City Hall Holiday Lights

Buckhorn Exchange / Rocky Mountain Oysters

Casa Bonita

- Sig