Lassen Volcanic National Park near Mineral in Shasta County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bumpass’s Hell
Kendall Vanhook Bumpass
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2012
1. Bumpass’s Hell Marker
Inscription.
Bumpass’s Hell. Kendall Vanhook Bumpass.
Our guide [Mr. K.V. Bumpass,] after cautioning us to be careful where we stepped, that the surface was treacherous, suddenly concluded with Virgil that the “descent to Hell was easy” for stepping upon a slight inequality in the ground he broke through the crust and plunged his leg into the boiling mud beneath, which clinging to his limb burned him severely. If our guide had been a profane man I think he would have cursed a little; as it was, I think his silence was owing to his inability to do the subject justice....” , Editor, Red Bluff Independent, 1865
, In 1862 mountaineer and explorer Kendell Vanhook Bumpass first saw this steaming, hissing, thumping hydrothermal area, which now bears his name. He and his partner, Major Pierson B. Reading filed claim to these boiling springs with the intention of mining the minerals and developing it as a tourist attraction. Perhaps those dreams were dashed when Bumpass stepped into a boiling mud pool at nearly 240°F (115°C). Regardless, Bumpass lost his leg by this unfortunate accident and his dreams of fortune here never materialized.
Our guide [Mr. K.V. Bumpass,] after cautioning us to be careful where we stepped, that the surface was treacherous, suddenly concluded with Virgil that the “descent to Hell was easy” for stepping upon a slight inequality in the ground he broke through the crust and plunged his leg into the boiling mud beneath, which clinging to his limb burned him severely. If our guide had been a profane man I think he would have cursed a little; as it was, I think his silence was owing to his inability to do the subject justice....”
Editor, Red Bluff Independent, 1865
In 1862 mountaineer and explorer Kendell Vanhook Bumpass first saw this steaming, hissing, thumping hydrothermal area, which now bears his name. He and his partner, Major Pierson B. Reading filed claim to these boiling springs with the intention of mining the minerals and developing it as a tourist attraction. Perhaps those dreams were dashed when Bumpass stepped into a boiling mud pool at nearly 240°F (115°C). Regardless, Bumpass lost his leg by this unfortunate accident and his dreams of fortune here never materialized.
Erected by Lassen Volcanic National Park, National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment
Location. 40° 27.65′ N, 121° 30.601′ W. Marker is near Mineral, California, in Shasta County. It is in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Marker is on Lassen Peak Highway (California Route 89), on the right when traveling north. The Bumpass Hell marker is located at the Bumpass Hell overlook which is approximately 1 1/4 miles (2km) by trail from the Bumpass Hell parking lot. From the overlook, it is approximately 1/4 mile (0.4km) further to Bumpass Hell itself.
Site location updated 19 December 2023. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mineral CA 96063, United States of America. Touch for directions.
sectionhead>More about this marker. "...a small hydrothermal outcrop within a mile of the road leading through Mount Lassen National Park in northern California. This site was discovered by Mr. Kendall Bumpass, a cowboy who worked near Mount Lassen in the 1860s. He was showing his discovery to a newspaper reporter when his foot broke through the crust over one of the boiling mud pots. His leg was burned so badly it had to be amputated, and his name will live on in the name of the site: Bumpass Hell." - Dave Deamer
Regarding Bumpass’s Hell. A warning included on the marker: Caution: Don’t let this infernal wonderland become your hell.
But don’t let Bumpass’s accident discourage you from venturing closer to the site either. Stay on the boardwalks to allow safe, up-close viewing of the fumaroles, mudpots, and boiling pools. It’s a melting pot down there, but one you can safely experience.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Be prepared for the "rotten egg" smell from the boiling sulfur in the mud pots. The fragrance starts around the overlook and is very strong on the boardwalk.
largest concentration of hydrothermal features in the park. Bumpass Hell was named after an early settler who severly burned a leg after falling into a boiling pool.(Submitted on August 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2012
4. Bumpass Hell, fumaroles
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2012
5. Bumpass Hell, hot springs
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2012
6. Bumpass Hell
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, July 15, 2012
7. Bumpass Hell, boiling hot springs
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,344 times since then and 78 times this year. Last updated on December 19, 2023, by Eric Jay Toll of Phoenix, Arizona. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on August 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
