Imagine giant pits of scalding hot mud bubbling up from below, scorching vents of steam shooting out of the ground at over 300 degrees, and engulfing wafts of odor reminiscent of rotten eggs.

Sound like hell to you?

This is the scene at Bumpass Hell, one of the many volcanically active areas in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Even though the last eruption was nearly a century ago, this volcano is still very much alive.

Led by park official Karen Haner, a group of nine from the Outdoor Writers Association of California (including myself and my wife, Julie) were recently treated to a tour of just a small corner of the gigantic and amazing national park.

From one of the many parking areas in Lassen Park, we enjoyed a very scenic 11⁄2-mile hike to Bumpass Hell. There were several small inclines and declines on this trail, but still somewhat challenging for those unaccustomed to the low oxygen levels found at over 8,000 feet of elevation.

Even though our trail didn’t reach any of the 9,000- to 10,000-foot peaks or ridges, the views were nonetheless fantastic. Some thousand feet below us lay the picturesque Little Hot Springs Valley, featuring the headwaters of Mill Creek flowing through a lush, green meadow.

In the distance to the south we could see Lake Almanor and beyond, far away Eagle Lake to the east, and all the way across the Sacramento Valley to the west.

As we approached Bumpass Hell, the distinctive smell of the hydrogen sulfide gasses could be detected even from behind the ridgeline.

From the hillside above we could see the giant plumes of steam shooting skyward, and we could hear the gushing forth of boiling water from the netherworld as it mixed with the soft soil to create the mud pits.

It is quite an eerie place, and an assault on the senses!

Bumpass Hell got its colorful name from a gentleman named Kendall Bumpass, who explored the region in the late 1800s. While showing the area to local dignitaries one day, Bumpass slipped and fell into one of the boiling mud pits, severely burning his leg — hence his endearing reference to the spot from then on!

A series of boardwalks has since been installed around and through the area so that modern-day visitors do not suffer the same fate as Mr. Bumpass.

Outside of Bumpass Hell, the rest of Lassen Park is more like heaven. Over 100,000 acres of wilderness are available to be explored.

It has 150 miles of hiking trails and dozens of natural lakes, including many that allow non-motorized boats.

Eight developed campgrounds can be found throughout the park, and wilderness camping is also allowed.

There are five entrance points to the park. The entry fee is $10 per vehicle or $5 per person on foot, bicycle or motorcycle.

The park’s main entrance is in its southwest corner on Highway 89 near Mineral. Here you can find the brand new visitor’s center.

This impressive facility is completely self-sustaining, and powered by solar panels installed just outside the park. There is plenty of information available for the traveler, even after business hours.

For more information before you go, check out the park’s Web site at www.nps.gov/lavo.

Also, starting this Sunday on PBS is a six-part series by Ken Burns called “The National Parks, America’s Best Idea.”

This sounds like it will be worth checking out!

Guy Carl is a CPA and partner with BDCo Accountants and Advisors in St. Helena (www.bdcocpa.com). Contact Guy at GC.outdoors@sbcglobal.net.