Boot steps are nearly silent on the needle covered trail a we make a slow climb through thick stand of pines.  (One would think that if trailheads are at 5000 ft + at least some trails would be downhill or at least flat – not so far!).  Patches of snow cling in sheltered spots in the woods. We had been forewarned there was still heavy snow cover on the trail just 2 weeks ago and we find the first on the trail at about ½ mile in.  We are across it in just a few steps.  No big deal.  Split log bridges, fallen logs, and stepping stones aide multiple crossings of first a tiny stream and later the larger Hat Creek.  Bird songs occasionally punctuate the forest silence.  Snow patches become larger and more frequent.  There is a bit more detouring and a lot more careful stepping but it is still passable.  We rest a spell beside a Hat Creek waterfall then find our way to the trail destination. Paradise Meadow. 

The creek meanders across a broad meadow backed by rocky cliffs.  Even ¾ snow covered it is a beautiful serene place.  We scan for wildlife and I check out birds then find a sunny place to settle and soak it all in.  Sounds mingle.  Shadows and colors play off one another as the grays of winter make way for the bright colors of spring.  Cold wind off the snow blasts in stark contrast against my sun warmed skin. The details meld together to create a unique feel for the place.  It is beautiful now and will surely be splendid when the wildflowers come into full bloom…a few more weeks.    

We take a detour at a fork in the trail in search of a vantage point that allows us to keep watch on the meadow while basking in the sun.  We cross a split log bridge that has seen better days.  The heavy snowpack has taken a toll; hope it holds together for our return trip!  Wildflowers are popping up in sun warmed forest glades.  It is a beautiful continuation of our walk but doesn’t bring us back around to the meadow.  We bask in the view for a bit then start back.  As we near the last curve in the trail we hear the telltale sound of an ax wielded by pretty ambitious hands.  Could it be someone working on the bridge, our only path out.   Sure enough; a trail crew is hacking away at the bridge.  They have thought it through though and let us pass on the one still mostly sound log.  Looks like it will all be good as new by the end of the day.  The crew reports that this one was less than two years old….guess Mother Nature wins pretty much all the time!    

We end our stay at Lassen with a stroll around the Lilly Pond trail.  At only ½ mile and close to the visitor center you might be tempted to skip it but it is a nice walk with a well written nature guide.

Did you know: if you sniff the bark on the trunk of a Ponderosa Pine it smells like vanilla!