Hospitality for Hikers at Drakesbad Guest Ranch at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Whether you are a Pacific Crest Trial (PCT) thru-hiker, section-hiker or day hiker, hospitality is generously offered at Drakesbad Guest Ranch. Billie and Ed Fiebiger, hosts of Drakesbad Guest Ranch, take everyone under their wing whether you're hiking a few hundred yards to the pool, a mile or two to one of the geologic features within Lassen Volcanic National Park, or the full 2,650 miles of the PCT.

PCT Thru-Hikers

As Billie was explaining the meal schedule, which involves listening for the bell that rings in the dining lodge three times a day, she mentioned that campers from nearby campgrounds often seek a home-cooked meal and reservations are required as they fill up "except that they always feed the thru-hikers, no matter what". My ears perked up. "You get thru-hikers?" I asked. She responded in the affirmative and nodded toward a table outside, saying that there were two thru-hikers having lunch.

I learned later that Billie and Ed are well known, and enjoy a good reputation among PCT thru-hikers as Trail Angels, a loose knit group of patrons along the trail who do good deeds for the hikers. Some Trail Angels stock water along dry, desert sections, give rides to nearby towns, host hikers on their property or, like Ed and Billie, feed hikers a hearty meal, provide hot showers and offer a laundry service to clean their meager and well-worn supply of clothing.

I approached Tiffany and Aron, who were eating steadily through a large plate of food and peppered them with questions about their travels so far. Drakesbad is at the half-way point of the trail and they had been hiking along the spine of the Sierra Nevada Range since April, starting from the Southern Terminus at the California-Mexico border. They hadn't planned to do the whole thing, saying that 15 mile days in the beginning were painful. But as they gained stamina and strength and it started getting easier they could hike longer, so they decided to push on. Now they are committed to finishing the trail this season and will persist until they reach the other end, in Canada, traversing the length of the Cascade Range next.

Tiffany and Aron are thru-hikers, who attempt the entire PCT in one long season, while section hikers tackle smaller sections, which still may entail treks of several hundred miles at a time, and may attempt to complete all sections of the long trail over many years.

Ed came along with dessert for the hungry hikers, and shared some inspiring stories of the many hikers that have passed through Drakesbad, including 60 and 70 year olds, and kids as young as nine. He brought fluffy, white towels and soap and sent Tiffany and Aron down to the pool house for a long, hot shower, for which they were very grateful.

Day hikers

Drakesbad has a lot to offer the casual day hiker also. Day hikes of less than 5 miles round trip will take you to several interesting hydrothermal features of this volcanic area that sits atop a large reservoir of 400F hot water. Mud pots and fumaroles spew boiling water and clouds of sulphuric smoke, reminding us that Mt. Lassen, which towers over the area, is still active, having last blown her top in 1914. Boiling Springs Lake and Devil's Kitchen are two popular hikes from the lodge.

Drakesbad, which is situated in an ancient caldera, is ringed with tall lava cliffs and thick forests of fir and cedar, the central meadow attracting deer and a large colony of marmots that run to and fro along the foot trails. They offer horseback riding, volley ball and badminton courts, and if you're not feeling so sporty, a large hammock for lazing away a summer afternoon.

Guests stay in rustic cabins that are cozy and comfortable, with wood stoves and thick comforters, but not electricity. Kerosene lanterns are used for illumination, except in the main lodge which does have electric lights.

The pool is fed from one of the nearby hot springs, and is mixed with cold water from the gurgling creek flowing next to the pool. This brings the temperature down to about 95F, which is pretty warm on hot, summer day.

Drakesbad Guest Ranch offers respite from a long, dusty trail or a chance to reconnect with nature in comfort and style, depending on your circumstances. The journey may be different but the gracious hospitality of hosts Billie and Ed is tailored to each, providing encouragement, kindness and a warm welcome to all.

Information:
Drakesbad Guest Ranch
End of Warner Valley Road, Chester, CA
866-999-0914
www.drakesbad.com
Rates- From $176/person, with 3 meals a day included, not including alcoholic beverages

Getting There:

Drakesbad is located on the eastern slopes of Lassen Volcanic National Park near the town of Chester and Lake Almanor.

From San Francisco:

Head north on I-5 then traverse Lassen Volcanic National Park with some dramatic canyon vistas and snow covered peaks of Shasta and Lassen. About 5 hours by car.

-Take I-80 East to Vacaville
-Take Winters/Redding exit to the I-505 North connector to I-5
-Take I-5 to Red Bluff
-Take CA-36 East to Chester
-Go through Chester and turn left immediately after the bridge at the Warner Valley, Lassen National Park sign
-Follow signs to Drakesbad (the last 3 miles are a dirt road)