29 A fine view of UPPER KINGS CREEK MEADOW. This may well have been a lake once, filled in by glacial and stream-borne materials. The level meadow floor caused Kings Creek to move slowly and to wander about “aimlessly” in a pattern called a “meander” by geologists. Where it leaves the flat meadow the stream takes on direction and speed, thus resuming a relatively straight, swift course. As the meadow builds up higher, becoming drier, the encroaching forest will eventually engulf it. (1.3 miles) 30 KINGS CREEK CAMPGROUND and Picnic Area. This is the Canadian Life Zone, although a few “Hudsonian” mountain hemlocks are in the cooler portions. The 7,400 foot elevation makes this a most delightful, primitive type of campsite during the warm summer months. The trail goes south from the campground to Cold Boiling Lake (0.8 mile) and to Crumbaugh Lake (1.5 miles). Kings Creek, originating from the springs in these meadows, is a part of the Feather River system, draining all of the area between Lassen and the Truckee River Divide, the largest single tributary drainage area in California. (0.5 mile) 31 READING PEAK rises over 1,300 feet to an 8,701-foot elevation. Like Lassen Peak, across the meadow to the left, this is a plug volcano. It honors Major Pierson B. Reading (pronounced Redding), Northern California pioneer. He was General Fremont’s paymaster, and was involved in the Bear Flag revolt. Reading also discovered gold on Clear Creek in March 1848, and was the first permanent settler of Shasta County. In 1864 he led the third recorded ascent up Lassen Peak. The same year he filed a mining claim jointly with K. V. Bumpass on the Bumpass Hell area. Deer are generally seen here in the meadow, especially near sunset during late summer and early fall. (0.6 mile) 32 KINGS CREEK. On the west side of the road is a small picnic area. On the downstream side of the road (left of the creek) is a trail to Warner Valley. Kings Creek Falls is 1.3 miles, and Drakesbad is 4.0 miles. You can hike uphill to the base of Lassen Peak. In both Lower and Upper Kings Creek Meadow, fawnlilys, red heather, corn lily, and white gentian make a fine floral succession from early spring to autumn. Lupine and pussy paws are also common in the drier locations. (0.2 mile) [Illustration: FAWNLILY (yellow and pinkish)] [Illustration: FALSEHELLEBORE (whitish)] 33 An EMERGENCY TELEPHONE is just below the park road for reporting accidents and fires. (1.0 mile)