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This is a beautiful time of year to explore our spectacular neighbor to the east, Lassen Volcanic National Park. Saturday (Sept. 24) is a fee free day at national parks — a good time to pack a picnic, camera and walking shoes and enjoy the scenery.

These photos were taken this month on the Ridges Lake Trail, which starts at the Sulphur Works parking area, near the southwest park entrance.

Candace L. Brown has been a newspaper and magazine reporter and editor since 1992, including eight years at the Redding Record Searchlight. She lives in Redding and can be reached at candace.freelance@gmail.com.

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