Hat Creek Rim Overlook, on the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway - 2010

From paradise to devastation... the beautiful Lassen National Forest surrounding the Hat Creek Rim fell from grace in August 2009, a painful reminder of the power of a lightning bolt. The instantaneous flash of electric light that destroyed a forest thundered to earth on August 1 causing one of 43 fires in the area that Saturday evening. Three large fires and 34 smaller ones joined to become what was known as the Hat Creek Complex Fire.

Hat Creek Valley - blackened by fire in August 2009.

Fire's damage near the Hat Creek Rim Overlook.

I didn't know this when we planned our journey from Happy Camp, California to Reno, Nevada for May 19, 2010. The road between Burney and Susanville introduced us to the Hat Creek Rim section of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway as we drove through the Lassen National Forest north of Lassen Volcanic National Park on Highway 89 and then Highway 44. We saw breathtaking meadows surrounded by pine and filled with fresh spring grasses. Most of these fields were remarkably flat, apparently formed by ancient lavaflows. Deer nonchalantly ate lunch, unconcerned with passersby so long as human admirers agreed to stay in their vehicles. And then, we saw the remnants of the fire - a devastation that had ravaged both sides of the highway, the formerly lush Hat Creek Valley, and I'm sure, the hearts of those living in that area.

This is not to say that this section of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway isn't worth visiting! To be very clear, it is still gorgeous, scenic, and a pleasant journey. There is still some lovely Hat Creek recreational area unscathed by flames for us to use and enjoy. And there are miles of scenic Volcanic Legacy Byway views - most of it green, verdant (in May when we were there,) and attractive.

Deer grazing near the Feather Lake Highway, 44 west of Susanville.

An extremely flat, sagebrush-covered plain next to Highway 44.