(0.6 mile) 51 The LOST CREEK DIVERSION DITCH is below on the outside edge of the road. It was dug by Italian labor crews for the Shasta Power Company as a part of a water collection system for Battle Creek electrical development before this region became a National Park. (0.1 mile) 52 On the inside bank of this turn, above the road, is a cross section of the LOST CREEK DIVERSION DITCH. The eruption of Lassen Peak on May 19, 1915, ended a long controversy between the power companies and the pioneer settlers regarding water rights by destroying, shortly after completion, the whole intake section at a point not far from here, upstream. (0.9 mile) 53 In this area and on the slope above is an intermediate step in NATURAL REFORESTATION after a fire. The luxuriant growth of young white fir and jeffrey pine has been possible through soil stabilization and moisture retention accomplished by shrubs. (0.5 mile) 54 A fine specimen of SUGAR PINE. (0.3 mile) 55 LOST CREEK ORGANIZATIONAL CAMP is used only by organized groups. Reservations for this and other free group campgrounds in the park must be made in advance by writing to the Superintendent, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, Calif., 96063. Camping space in the other campgrounds is available on a first come first served basis. (0.2 mile) 56 A magnificent PONDEROSA PINE. (0.2 mile) 57 This stretch of forest, especially on the east side of the road, may be called a “MICRO-CLIMATE.” The southwest exposure, in a sheltered depression, produces a warmer climate which supports white fir, incense cedar, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, shrubs and annuals characteristic of lower elevations. The green carpet covering the low rocks and parts of the forest floor is called squawcarpet ceanothus. (0.3 mile) [Illustration: SUGAR PINE (cone 12 inches)] [Illustration: INCENSE CEDAR (cone 1 inch)] [Illustration: PONDEROSA PINE (cone 3 inches)] 58 On the eastern extension of the sharp curve is a loose ROCKY TALUS SLOPE composed of fine-grained, dark grey boulders known as basalt. Often basaltic lavas are very porous because they are typically gas-rich when molten, and many bubble holes result as the escaping gases are trapped during cooling. This lava is relatively low in silica and high in iron, hence it is dark in color and heavy in weight. (0.6 mile)