Mount Conard

Over the years I have been fortunate to climb many mountains in the California Cascade Range.  The range of mountains that lead furthermore into Oregon and then Washington… Then soon after Canada.  These experiences in my life came together at a point when I was hurting And God was using these special places in my life to heal me.. He had many experiences for me to learn from and quiet to heal my pains.  Many of these moments came from the Mountains and I am excited to share them with you.  The moment that spoke to me most was seeing an Owl swoop over the Conard Saddle above camp.  Just as the last bit of light left this side of the earth.  The sulfur pots on the side of Lassen known as Sulfur Works and Bumpass Hell are smoking in the distance… All of these incredible creations are small to the magnitude of Lassen Peak high above them.  A treacherous little mountain road, winding up the side of the mountain… Scree fields dropped downward off of its slopes, only to lead back upward to slightly lower mountain tops and Ridgeline.  God had painted wonders once more… A never-ending experience I have been fortunate to behold in this life!

Lassen Peak

These mountains of Volcano origin stand tall yet with a troubled past.  Once a larger Volcanic structure now smaller and scattered into smaller lookouts.  The many smaller summits standing proud telling the lineage of the past… The strong descendants they call family.  Standing atop Lassen Peak, Eagle Peak, Ski Heil Peak, Pilot Pinnacle, Mount Dillard, or Brokeoff Mountain rewards explorers with views of Mount Shasta far in the distance.  Eversion layers seem to lay like a blanket off in the distance when wildfires are present.  Only adding to the layers of chapters these mountains hold the stories too. 

Brokeoff Mountain

Pilot Pinnacle

An adventurer may access these summits fairly easily.  With a small amount of maintained trail and some relatively easy off-trail travel except for the petition between Pilot Pinnacle and Brokeoff Mountain.  Brokeoff Mountain and Lassen Peak are both accessible via maintained trails.

Eagle Peak

The California Cascades reach far beyond Lassen Volcanic National Park and Lassen National Forest.  The range reaches from Plumas National Forest after Lake Tahoe and runs up to Oregon.

Mount Conard

As I spent more and more time in these back countries, I could help but feel a peace that not everywhere in this world can bring you.  While this area may not speak to another person as it did to me, it is clear that God uses these trees, rocks, and mountains in my life.

Butt Mountain

Crater Peak

From the summit of Butt Mountain, an explorer can see the entire Skyline of Lassen!  Laid out in front of him or her.  On this occasion, Wildfire dances crossed the landscape below.  The smoke, its story rising to be told above the tree line for all who will listen.

Crater Peak

In the beautiful Thousand Lakes Wilderness of Lassen National Forest comes another unique perspective of the Lassen Skyline.  On this occasion, wildfire smoke lay like the ocean below me. The Mountain I stand upon is carved of volcanic origin…. Though when experiencing this summit, far below one comes to terms with the volcanic landscape that surrounds them.  They are the high point of a crater!  A ring of land and rock that once presented itself differently.  Though as it grew older no insecurities could be found in this mountain demeanour.  A thriving forest below is leading to the warm heartbeat of this mountain home.  Its brothers and sisters are scattered about on the horizon in all directions.  Nothing but inspiration can be felt here for a God who created this.

-Sky