The Parker Lake Trail in the Ansel Adams Wilderness might be the best effort-to-reward ratio of any mountain hike in the Eastern Sierra. The destination is a glacially carved lake with water so clear it carries a faint turquoise tint, framed by rugged Sierra peaks. But if you slow down and look closely, there's a whole other hike happening alongside the scenic one. Early summer is when wildflowers push through dry scrub, bees move between blooms, and streams run full with snowmelt. I hiked to Parker Lake at the start of July and paid attention to the details. Here is what I found.

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the lesser-visited national parks in California, yet it is by no means less beautiful or interesting. In this article, I will share my experience and best tips for hiking from Cold Boiling Lake to Bumpass Hell, where one encounters the awe-inspiring scenery of wildflower meadows, tiny streams, and turquoise lakes, all leading to the largest hydrothermal area in Lassen Volcanic National Park.