Go to the observatory on Mt. St. Helens while the volcano is still active

I went to the observatory about two years ago when I visited Portland. They show a video at the observatory describing the day Mount St. Helens erupted and it was chilling. You also saw the volcano in full view after the video presentation. Definitely worth seeing.

I went up to Johnston Ridge on a whim. I was driving home from up north and had no plan for the day besides get home and then go hiking. I saw the sign for the mountain and decided to go hiking and then go home and cross off this goal!

I got up there around 3, paid my admission, watched the electronic display light up and then asked the ranger about a good day hike. He sent me off on a 6 mile hike that I extended to about 8 miles. I got back to the visitor’s center around 6:10 to find out that it closes at 6. So I missed seeing the film that I’d heard so much about.

I did have a beautiful hike and took a billion photos. St Helens was stuck in a cloud for my full visit (pictured from the visitor’s center), but I enjoyed views of Spirit Lake, Mt Adams and I think I caught a glimpse of Mt. Hood as well.

spring. I take a week off of work in April so it would be a good time to do it.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

As you can see at the link, its only worth going on a clear day. Now we just need to find a way to align things so that we get a clear day on a weekend. OK, we need two clear weekends, becuase my yardwork is more pressing than the volcano. Hope to do this by mid November. If not, then it probably won’t happen until the spring.