Unfortunately, one of the favorite places GSSP attendees have visited in the past is now closed to the public as of this writing. Hat Creek Radio Observatory has been closed due to funding being cut.
NE California is home to some of the best scenic and outdoor activities to be had in the West! GSSP is centrally located to many of them and day trips can be done from the star party site.
Several National Parks and Monuments are within driving distance.
Lassen Volcanic Park is approx an hour to the SW. It offers great hiking, fishing and boating. The biggest problem this year may be that the road through the park and hiking trails to the major geothermal sites (Bumpass Hell) may not be open at star party time. Snow levels where about 48' this year. (Yes, that's FEET!) There are kayak rentals at Manzanita Lake for $12/hr. http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm is the park's official website.
On Hwy 89 just north of the Hwy 44 junction is Subway Caves, a 1 mile long hikeable lava tube. Think you've been in the dark before? Not like this! This is great fun! Bring a jacket (it's 55 all year) and a good flashlight. Kids will love it!
In Old Station on Hwy 89 is the Spatter Cone Trail, a nice self guided hike about 1 1/2 mile long through an area of volcanic spatter cones. Interesting.
Lava Beds National Monument is approx 1 hr north of the star party site. This was the first recognized "dark sky" national park in the US. Attractions include lava formations, battlefields, and petroglyphs. Across Hwy 139 from Lava Beds is the Tule Lake Relocation Camp, one of the infamous Japanese relocation camps in the west. It has been open to the public for only a few years now.
Across Hwy 200 from the star party site is Ash Creek Wildlife Refuge. Birders, this, and any place along Fall River, is a great area for the hundreds of different birds that use the region on the California flyway.
Up the road east from GSSP on Hwy 299 is the Red Tail Rim hiking trail.
Burney Falls State Park is west about 45 mins. (Take Hwy 299 w to Hwy 89 n). It's one of the best water falls in California. Good easy hiking and Lake Britton is a good swimming, boating and fishing lake. $10/car entry fee.
A lot of sites nearby for fly fishing. Hat Creek,Fall River and Pit River are some of the tops IN THE WORLD. Ash Creek, just a few miles NE out of Adin (towards Madeline on a good dirt road)is known for its nice german browns. (And it's a nice picnic spot).
www.eagleeyeskayak.com is a site for a local kayaking guide
The Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hwy 299 near Hat Creek Park, about 1/2 mi east of Sand Pit Rd, about 6 miles east of Burney. Take the trail north through forested area towards Lake Britton.
Unfortunately, Hat Creek Radio Observatory in Hat Creek has been closed to the public due to budget cuts.
All in all if you get out during the day to explore you won't run out of options!
Several National Parks and Monuments are within driving distance.
Lassen Volcanic Park is approx an hour to the SW. It offers great hiking, fishing and boating. The biggest problem this year may be that the road through the park and hiking trails to the major geothermal sites (Bumpass Hell) may not be open at star party time. Snow levels where about 48' this year. (Yes, that's FEET!) There are kayak rentals at Manzanita Lake for $12/hr. http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm is the park's official website.
On Hwy 89 just north of the Hwy 44 junction is Subway Caves, a 1 mile long hikeable lava tube. Think you've been in the dark before? Not like this! This is great fun! Bring a jacket (it's 55 all year) and a good flashlight. Kids will love it!
In Old Station on Hwy 89 is the Spatter Cone Trail, a nice self guided hike about 1 1/2 mile long through an area of volcanic spatter cones. Interesting.
Lava Beds National Monument is approx 1 hr north of the star party site. This was the first recognized "dark sky" national park in the US. Attractions include lava formations, battlefields, and petroglyphs. Across Hwy 139 from Lava Beds is the Tule Lake Relocation Camp, one of the infamous Japanese relocation camps in the west. It has been open to the public for only a few years now.
Across Hwy 200 from the star party site is Ash Creek Wildlife Refuge. Birders, this, and any place along Fall River, is a great area for the hundreds of different birds that use the region on the California flyway.
Up the road east from GSSP on Hwy 299 is the Red Tail Rim hiking trail.
Burney Falls State Park is west about 45 mins. (Take Hwy 299 w to Hwy 89 n). It's one of the best water falls in California. Good easy hiking and Lake Britton is a good swimming, boating and fishing lake. $10/car entry fee.
A lot of sites nearby for fly fishing. Hat Creek,Fall River and Pit River are some of the tops IN THE WORLD. Ash Creek, just a few miles NE out of Adin (towards Madeline on a good dirt road)is known for its nice german browns. (And it's a nice picnic spot).
www.eagleeyeskayak.com is a site for a local kayaking guide
The Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hwy 299 near Hat Creek Park, about 1/2 mi east of Sand Pit Rd, about 6 miles east of Burney. Take the trail north through forested area towards Lake Britton.
Unfortunately, Hat Creek Radio Observatory in Hat Creek has been closed to the public due to budget cuts.
All in all if you get out during the day to explore you won't run out of options!