The flight with the new Airbus A380 (the largest airplain of the world) was quite an experience. Extreme low noise and comfortable - because of the size much less bumpy From landing until we reached our vehicle in Livermore it took only 2 hours. And we got 6 months permit to stay in US!!!

Our first stop was in Stockton - to fill the fridge, the water tanks and the beer and wine cellar.

We stood overnight at the „River Point Landing Marina / Resort Stockton“. A fantastic place to fight the jetlag.

After 2 days we continued towards Lake Tahoe at the border to Nevada.

This lake at an altitude of 1.900 m is 31 km long, 17 km wide and 500 m deep. It is the second deepest lake in USA.

The landscape is beautiful - one reason so many tourists are coming. But the sad part is that most of the shore line is either in private hands or not accessible.

We stood one night in a State Park - far away from the water. It was totallly overbooked, loud and dirty - so we decided to leave and drove to „Squaw Valley“ which is only 8 km away.

This Ski Resort didn´t exist until 1950. Than the idea was born to construct and built an resort and to apply for the Olympic Winter Games. And for 1960 Squaw Valley became the games - not having any infrastructure for it.

This resort lays 1.900 m high and is surrounded by 6 major peaks all above 2.500 m. We hiked up to the „High Camp“ (2.350m) and took the tram down.

We enjoyed the fantastic mountain air, the sunshine and the extraordinary view. And in summer not too many people. So we decided to stay view days.

From Squaw Vally to Lake Tahoe a fully paved bike road (2 lines) along the „Truckee River“ exist. We enjoyed riding our bikes again and wondered how many Americans were also doing!!

We also hiked along the beautiful "Shirley Creek" to the "Shirley Waterfall and Shirley Canyon"

The next day we bicycled along the "Truckee River" to the small but worth seeing town of Truckee with his "Old Center" and interesting boutiques.

Drive:

We followed always the Hwy.89. From Squaw Valley via the beautiful Truckee and passing through Sierraville, Calpine, Quincy, Canyondam and along the shore of „Lake Almanor“ to the southwest entrance of the Park.
This route with its pine forest, hills and rivers remainded us very much on the „Black Forest“ in Germany.

Lassen Peak:

The „Lassen Peak“ (3.187 m high) overlooks this vast volcanic area and can been seen from long distances. It is one of the largest volcanic cone of the world. Born out of the ancient volcano „Mt. Tehama“ 400.000 years ago. Mt. Tehama was in those times a giant volcano and extremely active. Than it imploded because to much lava erupted over the time.

The successor Mt. Lassen erupted in 1914 the first time and until 1917 more than 300 times. He formed the landscape here . Since than he fall asleep - but for how long? In the 70 / 80ys roads and campgrounds were closed because the mountain started to rumble.

Our goal was to climp this peak. This is in one day possible and no alpine hiking knowledge is necessary. Unfortunately because of snow and trail repair it was not allowed - we were very disappointed. The view from above seems to be sensational.

Bumpass Hell Trail:

The place „Bumpass Hell“ must have been the inspiration for the name „hell“.

Firstly we had to hike 3,5 km through mountainous area - which is in summer no problem. But we had still high snow and 2/3 of the trail was snow covered. And this at July 20. and in California - unbelievable. But USA had so much snow last year.

We hiked over the snow fields and tried not to slide down the steep hills.

Bumpass Hell itself consists of bubbling mudpots, steaming fumaroles and hissing hot springs. And the whole area stinks to high heaven (sulfur, etc.).

Because of the sulfur smoke the hills around are very colorful (painted hills), also small lakes and the streams have beautiful colors. We have been thrilled - even in hell. See the pictures.

Manzanita Lake:

This is the northwest entry to the park. We had a nice place below large pine trees and still enough light and sun.

We camped two nights and hiked around the „Manzanita and Reflection Lake“. We saw many birds (also predatory birds), beautiful butterflies and dragonflies, deers and the fantastic view to Mt. Lassen and „collegues“ - see pictures.

Butte Lake and Cinder Cone:

This is the northeast part of the park and only reachable from outside - quite a long way round via a gravel road.

The „Cinder Cone“ (2.105 m high) is the attraction. It is a really cylindrical cone and 230 m pure lava. It is possible to climb it and even to go inside.

The only problem: it is extremely strenuous to walk on the steep slope and the soft lava - „2 steps up and 1 down“.

But it was worth: The view to the 25 km distant Mt. Lassen Peak is just wonderful. And the view to the inside is somehow strange - if one images what immens power of eruption 300 years ago, the million tons of lava which was pushed out and devastated the entire  neighborhood.

Besides climbing „Cinder Cone“ we also hiked to the „Bathtub Lake“, along the „Butte Creek“ and along the „Butte Lake“.

We can the less frequented „Mt. Lassen Volcanic National Park“ highly recommend.

Again the mountains „called us“ and we couldn´t resist to see Mt. Shasta. It is with 4.316 m the second highest peak in the Pacific Range (in lower 48). You can see it (with good weather) from a distance of 160 km. Very very impressive, mighty and snow covered. We stood overnight at the picturesque town of Shasta at the foothill of Mt. Shasta.

Next morning we drove up to the „Bunny Flat parking lot“ (25 km from Shasta) and hiked up to the „Shasta Alpine Lodge (Horse Camp)“ and than further to the snow fields.

Unfortunately here we had to turn back - now ice axe, no climbing iron, and not enough fitness. But still a wonderful hike with fantastic views - we can only recommend this.

We took a small „Scenic Byway“ which is not described in any book but we can highly recommend it. But it is not possible to drive it with „5-wheeler“ or motorhomes longer than 28 feet.

From Mt. Shasta we took „I-5“ north to „exit 743“ and than „Old Hwy 89“ to „Gazelle“ and here the „Gazelle - Callahan Rd“ South. Before you reach the „Klamath National Forest“ moutains you can see Mt. Shasta in all his enormous sizes and beauty. The road is small but in excellent condition and not frequented at all.

From „Callahan“ you take the „Callahan - Cecilville Rd“. Also in very good condition and beautiful panorama.

From „Cecilville“ the road is called „Cecilville Rd“ and is getting very narrow now - only one single line but many pull-outs. And nobody on the road. The panorama is getting more beautiful along the „South Fork River“ which flows deep below.

At the „Matthews Creek Campground“ we stood overnight. And people had even a bath in the cristal clear river. 

From here to „Somes Bar“ the landscape and the road is getting more wild - on the right 100 m straight down to the river and left a rock wall straight up.

From „Somes Bar“ we took „Hwy 96“ south to „Weitchpec“ along the „Klamath River“. In „Weitchpec“ one can either take „Hwy 96“ south to „Hwy 299“ and than West to „Eureka“.

Or if you want to go directly to „Redwoods NP“ than from „Weitchpec“ take „Hwy 169“ to „Martins Ferry“ and than left the „Bald Hills Rd“ to „Orick“ and the entrance to the National Park.

We enjoyed the total route entirely and can only recommend it!!!

Besides we have been here last year we wanted to see this unique trees again.

This time we went to „Gold Bluffs Beach“. Directly at the beach and accessible via a small dirt road. But a place to visit.

The campground in this State Park is simple but very nice. We loved the sunsets with our camp fires.

From here we hiked 16 km round trail through the „Fern Canyon, James Irvine Trail, Clintonia Trail and Miners Trail“. Especially the „Fern Canyon“ with its creek and the large ferns is beautiful and the special atmosphere under the giant redwoods.

For us the „Redwood National Park“ is for sure one off the highlights in USA.

Klamath belongs to the Yurok Indian Tribe: the reservation is on both sides of the Klamath River (1 mile each) and from the mouth of the river to Weichpec (around 50 miles long).

We wanted to make a Kajaktour on the Klamath and to rent a boat at a campground. The „Chinook RV Resort“ was recommended to us - and it was a good choice. We got a place directly at the banks of the river.

When we crossed the Klamath River (Hwy 101) we wondered about the many people on the bridge and the police before. Later the reason was told: Since middle of June a big grey whale mom lives in the Klamath (and exactly by the bridge). On her way from Mexico to Alaska she entered with her baby the river and since then she lives here. The baby left in the meantime. But all efforts by the Indians to drive her out was unsuccessfull.

The whale presents herself to all the many visitors on the bridge and one has the feeling she enjoys it. We also have been 3 times on the bridge and we rented a Kajak to paddle quite near to her.

We all hope that she returns to the Pacific. She will not be able to survive in the river.

Over and above this adventure we enjoyed seeing a black bear (daily) on the otherside of the Klamath as well as pelicans, vultures, and many water birds.

On Aug. 1.  our friends Sabine and Theo visited us - they are from Lüneburg Germany and since years in North America. We met them the first time in Alaska and British Columbia. We had beautiful days with you Sabine and Theo - Thanks!!

Continuation:

Please continue reading under heading:  USA part 3  /  Oregon