Quote of the Month:
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own." - Charles Dickens
Coldwater Lake is an amazing natural reminder of a disaster which happened in faraway 1980th – of the eruption of Mount St. Helens.
Strawberry Mountain lookout site used to be a fire lookout tower in Gifford Pinchot National Forest constructed in 1931 approximately twelve miles north-east of Mount Saint Helens. Nowadays not much has remained from the lookout tower itself as it was destroyed in late 1950’s and the only thing this place has to offer its visitors is an exceptional 360-degrees view of the surrounding area.
Harmony Falls Trail is a short, only approximately 2,4 miles roundtrip, trail meandering through the eruption-affected territory to the very lakeshore of Spirit Lake. Actually this is the only trail which allows the hikers to get to the shoreline (legally) of Spirit Lake.
Windy Ridge Viewpoint, because of its remoteness, is not as popular among the visitors of the National Volcanic Monument as for example the Johnston Ridge Observatory, but it is rather an advantage of this viewpoint, as there are no crowds of tourists here. Thus you will be able to admire the spectacular views it endows its guests with, in some solitude, and there will be no problems with parking.
Take a great delight in multiple wildflowers covering the slopes of the South Coldwater Ridge, pleasing the eye and cheering the heart with their beautiful colors. Seeing these incredibly beautiful scenery it is hard to believe that only 3,5 decades ago this place was the site of destruction where dispiteous lava flows and lahars were sweeping all on their path, destroying the local flora and fauna.
The Hummocks Trail which is located on the north side of Mount St. Helens is a must-visit place. The trail runs along beautiful hummocks and clear ponds, which were created after the eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980. These hummocks are special knolls, which were created after the eruption by the blocks of the mountain’s summits.
Harry’s Ridge Trail is an incredible route that offers stunning views of the result and devastation from the eruption. This hike takes its visitors in the heart of the eruption. Hikers enjoy the breathtaking and scary views of the crater, Mt. Adams and Spirit Lake.