Long before Lassen Volcanic National Park was created, hiking to the summit of Lassen Peak was a popular past time. In late August 1864, a camping party consisting of Pierson B. Reading, Kendall Bumpass, S.S. Thomas and Aurelius and Helen Brodt made the ascent to the top, and thus becoming trendsetters. Two weeks later, Aurelius Brodt wrote: “We found a beautiful little lake near the top of the mountain which was named Lake Helen after my wife, she being the first woman that had ever seen it, also her name and date, Aug. 28, 1864 is inscribed on the side of a large rock on the very peak, she being the first woman that ever ascended the peak.”
That is an awesome story!