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Lake Helen is a glacial lake in Lassen Volcanic NP.  The park's winter season starts in October and runs through June.  Lake Helen can be found thawing mid-June.  The turquoise blue of the water comes from the minerals in it, and is mesmerizingly beautiful when thawing in pools over a snowy Lake Helen.
Once fully thawed, Lake Helen is a great lake for reflection photos as there is no surface outlet, so the water is incredibly calm.  Plus, directly behind the lake is Lassen Peak.
There are long parking turnouts on either side of the road.
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Lake Helen in Lassen Volcanic NP
Drove all the way from Devil's Kitchen to see Lake Helen. It was well worth the drive because there were only a couple other people there and the lake was beautiful with Lassen Peak in the background. Parking was also super easy
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Due to hazardous snow and ice, Bumpass Hell Trail closes during the spring and may not open until July. From the Bumpass Hell Parking Area, the trail traverses the rocky slopes of Bumpass Mountain. The trail slowly ascends 200 feet with views of the valley to the west and Lassen Peak to the north. At 0.9 miles, you reach an overlook with a view of Bumpass Hell. Then, for 0.4 miles, the trail d...
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