Trouble at Lassen

The plan yesterday was to get up and over Lassen National Park.  This would be no easy feat - I started the day about 60 miles from (and 5500 feet below) Lassen Pass.  Despite an early start it was a tough day and I got to the park entrance around 3:30; 20 miles from (and 2500 feet below) the pass.  There was a campground about 10 miles before the pass, and another just before you got out of the park.  So, my conundrum - either get off the road around 6:00 and camp on this side of the pass (and get to see some Lassen attractions tomorrow), or get up and over, but then be past (and below) everything tomorrow.  Not enough daylight to get up and over AND do any hikes.  So, I fought my usual urge to make more miles and set up camp early.
Well, this morning it was very cloudy.  As I climbed that turned into fog, and as I reached the summit that turned into very thick fog (see picture).  I'd say there was maybe 50' visibility.  On the way down it became very windy and a bit rainy - I was very cold.  The hike I wanted to do (Bumpass Hell, through some geothermal features) was completely socked in, so after all that I didn't even get to see the one thing I wanted to.

I stopped a couple times and kept running into the same guy who seemed to mean well but kept laughing at my situation.  "How's the ride?"; "It's really cold and foggy and I don't feel completely safe"; "Haha, I'll bet!".   He had a cup of coffee the whole time.  I was not amused.

Anyway, since I'm writing this I've obviously survived my ordeal.  I've been drinking coffee in the visitor center for the past hour, the sun is coming out and I'm just about ready to go.  I even stopped shivering (it took 30 minutes).  I just finished eating lunch with a group of grandmas from Reno.  They said it was clear and sunny until just a few miles from the park.  Damn you elevation!  <shaking fist in general direction of Lassen Peak>