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By some definitions, Lava Beds National Monument
could be considered the "middle of nowhere". It is
seven hours by car from San Francisco, Portland,
and Reno. There is no bus or train service. The
nearest commercial airport is in Klamath Falls, 60
miles to the north. The nearest town is Tulelake,
25 miles away. With a population of 1000, two
motels, and a handful of restaurants, it is small
and friendly. The monument has no motels,
restaurants or service stations. The campground has
restrooms and picnic tables, but no showers, or
hookups. In short, there is no infrastructure to
facilitate research. But for those fascinated by its rugged
landscape, dramatic history, and diverse ecology,
Lava Beds National Monument is the "center of the
universe." Visitors, researchers, and locals alike
take great joy in this highly unusual National
Park. Read what they
have to say about the monument and the Research
Center. Located at 4,035 feet in the high desert east of
the Cascade Mountain rain shadow, Lava Beds bakes
in the summer and freezes in the winter. In winter,
wind-chill drives the effective temperatures down.
In summer the winds dessicate everything they
touch. These climate extremes have helped to sculpt
the rugged landscape, and shape the plant and
animal communities that live there. They also make
conditions harsh for those conducting research in
this fascinating place. From either north or south, take Hiway 97 to the
Oregon/California border. At the border, take
Highway 161 east, and follow the signs to the
monument. Month JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Hi Temp 40/81 45/69 48/74 56/88 65/93 72/98 82/101 82/102 75/99 64/89 49/74 41/69 Low Temp 22/-13 26/-13 27/3 32/4 38/19 44/19 51/27 50/30 44/16 37/0 29/2 23/-18 Precip. 2/7 2/10 2/9 1/3 2/10 1/3 1/5 1/3 1/2 1/8 1/6 2/7 Snow 9/42 6/29 8/31 4/25 1/8 0/2 0/1 0/0 0/1 1/5 5/31 9/48 Front
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Center... What
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Visitor
Center... Page last
updated 02/24/2005
or Whether the Weather Be
Not....
Temperatures in Fahrenheit -
Precip/Snow in Inches - Numbers given as
average/record