Heading out on our hike to Cinder Cone, an extinct volcano

The edge of the Fantastic Lava Beds

The Painted Dunes at the base of the Cinder Cone

Daniel and James contemplating the last 3/4 mile push up the Cone

Yes, it's really that steep and comprised completely of loose, fine gravel

Looking across the top of the Cone

View towards Mt. Lassen

James at the peak. Butte Lake (our campground) and the Fantastic Lava Beds in the background

Daniel at the summit

Rebecca's summit pose

View into the center of the Cone

Another view of the Painted Dunes and Fantastic Lava Beds

The center of the Cone

Daniel and James (with Rebecca on the way) down in the center of the Cone

Even at the summit of a pile of volcanic rock there are bits of life

The crew pondering our route down

Headed down the back side