Hat Creek Picnic Area - 2010

Although Hat Creek Valley burned in 2009, the shady Hat Creek Picnic Area and Hat Creek Campground both survived. We stopped at the Hat Creek Picnic Area, met a sight-seeing family from Gasquet, California and their dog, and took pictures.

We crossed this bridge on Highway 89 before turning into the Hat Creek Picnic Area.

A sun kissed dandelion adorned the bank of Hat Creek in the peaceful shade of an ancient pine tree.

This friendly canine visitor to the Hat Creek Picnic Area was a gunshot victim from Gasquet, California.

Hat Creek is a beautiful place for meditation, fishing, a picnic, a break from travel, or a family reunion.

It would be hard to find a more peaceful place than Hat Creek Picnic Area, which is right across the highway from Hat Creek Campground. The 2009 fire missed this area, and so we are blessed to still be able to come here and experience the beauty of Lassen National Forest and joy of lively Hat Creek.

There are several picnic tables and room for only about five cars in the parking lot, so it isn't a large place, but perhaps that's good because it limits the number of people who can crowd into this oasis of loveliness at one time. I love peace, quiet, and the opportunity to commune with nature, don't you?

We were there in mid-May. Even at this unseasonably early time every parking place was occupied and people wandered about, absorbing the energy of the stream. We met a couple from Gasquet, owners of the friendly dog in the photo above. They were on a journey with their young sons, and like us, paused to enjoy the beauty of Hat Creek, with an opportunity to stretch legs and rest in the shade of wonderful trees. There were two fishermen as well -- one near the bridge and one further downstream.

Hat Creek was full and flowing with snow melt. One couldn't stand in it during this time of the year because the water flowed too rapidly. I expect later in the summer it would be perfect for children to wade in. Perhaps in August.