HIKING, BIKING OPEN AT LASSEN NATIONAL PARK

As spring road clearing continues along the southeast area of Lassen Volcanic National Park, visitors can currently hike or bike along a 10mile and another 1 1/2- mile stretch of the road in the park.

While the park undergoes a transition from winter during the spring and early summer season, visitors can see the park by walking, running or biking sections of the highway once they are cleared of snow and before they open to vehicles.

Hiking and biking is currently permitted on a 10-mile section of the park highway between Loomis Plaza and Devastated Area and a 1 1/2-mile section between Kohm Yah-mahnee Visitor Center and Windy Point — one half mile beyond Sulphur Works.

Both sections of highway remain closed to vehicles until conditions allow. A map of road clearing progress and the status of road sections can be viewed

at go. nps. gov/ lavo/snowclearing.

Snow depths have been lower than average this season. On March 24, snow depth at Lake Helen was 68 percent of average at 114.5 inches or 9 ½ feet.

“Visitors should be prepared for over snow travel in most areas of the park,” Superintendent Jim Richardson said in a press release. “However, cleared sections of the highway that are not yet open to vehicles offer a great opportunity to hike or bike through the snowy landscape.”

The $10 winter entrance fee remains through April 15 and then increases to $30 through Nov. 30. Entrance is free to all national parks on Saturday, April 17, in celebration of the beginning of National Park Week.

Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center is open Wednesday

Sunday through April 30. It will be open daily beginning May 1. The park store is open during building hours. Limited food and supplies are available weekends only between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

With the winter season not over yet, Lassen Volcanic National Park staff encourages visitors to come prepared. Check the weather forecast, dress in layers, and carry food and

water. Stow a shovel, blankets, and tire chains in your vehicle and expect winter road conditions. Fill up your gas tank before entering the park, as there is no gas available between November and May.

Weather conditions can change quickly during the spring season. Visitors are also encouraged to check current conditions before visiting the park at go.nps. gov/lavo/current.

AMANDA SWEENEY — NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE A bulldozer sits on the side of a road clearing snow in the Southwest Area of Lassen Volcanic National Park.

AMANDA SWEENEY — NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE A snow clearing on Lassen Volcanic Highway is seen near Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center in Lassen National Park.