Saturday started out with really nice weather, and it remained so through the entire the day. We followed most of the road, except for a section where we cut across over the west ridge of Diamond Peak. The road had been well traveled in the previous days by people with skis or snowshoes. When we reached Helen Lake, there were a few day hikers, but not many people planning to camp overnight.
There were some swirling clouds visible on the top of Lassen in the later part of the day. These created some surreal images as the sun set over the horizon.
Around 10pm on Saturday, the wind started blowing and continued on until about 5am on Sunday with consistent speeds about 25mph, and the occasional 40mph gust. At 4:30am, we geared up to head for the summit with headlamps lighting up the way. We were on snowshoes up until the parking lot where the trailhead begins to the peak. From that point on, we switched over to crampons. Just before rising over the horizon, the sun was painting the snow-covered slopes of the peaks in an incredible orange glow.
We didn't get very far up the peak though. At about 9500', we turned back. The wind never ceased; my guesstimate is constant 25mph from the east with a 40-50mph gust here and there to keep one focused on the task at hand.
On the way out, we veered off the road northwest of Diamond Peak to meet the road at Sulphur Works. Even though we didn't get to the summit, the trip was still very enjoyable, the weather was great for the most part, and the views were fantastic. Enjoy the photos!
Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center
On the road to Lake Helen
Sulphur Works
Views of the surrounding peaks
Mt. Diller, Pilot Pinnacle
Brokeoff Mountain
Lake Helen
Lassen Peak
Sunset at Lake Helen
Heading for the summit
Sunrise
Lake Helen
Brokeoff Mountain
