Beautiful but deadly, Mount St. Helens stands responsible for the most deadly and economically destructive volcanic eruption in US history. One fateful day in 1980 the whole world learned about this massive volcano in Washington State and the disaster that unfolded. Today Mount St. Helens and the volcanic monument is a volcanic monument and is contained within the large Gifford Pinchot National Forest (that also includes Mount Rainer).
Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano in the Washington States around 52 miles out of Portland in Oregon or 98 miles out of Seattle. And is a cool reminder of the power of mother nature. While it will likely erupt again, it is closely monitored and is safe to visit. To see more new volcanic landscapes, visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see landscapes only a couple of years old.
About Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens owes its existence to the Pacific Ring of Fire - which was responsible for the 2011 Japanese Tsunami and the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
- Native Names: Lawetlat'la To the Cowlitz People and Loowit or Louwala-Clough to the Klickitat
- Major Eruption: May 18, 1980
- Damage: 57 People Killed, 200 Homes And 47 Bridges Destroyed
The massive eruption greatly reduced the volcano's profile from 9,677 feet to 8,363 feet leaving the mountain with a massive 1-mile wide crater. It is truly a remarkable sight to see today.
St. Helens Today
Back in 1980, in the wake of the devastating eruption, few people could have thought it would be the stunning and peaceful hiking destination that it is today. Today visitors are spoilt for trail choice to access the landscapes of young and regenerating forests, picturesque summer wildflowers, new lakes, huge mounds of ash and rock, and of course the massive volcanic crater capped with the new and growing glacier.
In the wake of the disaster the then President Ronald Reagon established the Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument in 1982. The monument spans some 110,000 acres and is set aside for research, recreation, and education.
Since it was established, many trails, information stations, campgrounds, and other points have been established as the park grows in popularity. Climbers have been able to climb to the summit of the volcano since 1986
One of the main underground attractions here is Ape Cave. Ape Cave is a lava tube cave in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest just south of Mount St. Helens. It is one of the longest continuous lava tubes in the continental US. It is a popular hiking destination with stunning views of Mount St. Helens.
- Ape Cave Length: 2.5 Miles or 4 Kilometers
Hiking On Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens National Monument offers a full range of hiking options. There are short hikes for families, moderate hikes for day hikers, and extremely difficult terrain for backcountry enthusiasts. See here for tips on how to pack meals depending on the length of the hike.
- Trails: Over 200 Miles Of Trails
- Permits: Many Trailheads In And Around Mount St. Helens Require A Northwest Forest Pass or an Interagency Pass
- Day Pass: $8 Per Person For The Johnston Ridge Visitor Center
It was the west side of the mountain that was devastated and forever changed by the 1980 eruption. The old-growth forests here were instantly destroyed in the wake of the lahar and mudflow. Today it is one of the most popular entrances to the Monument and offers a unique sight into the destructive beauty of nature. Some of the trails to choose from include:
Hummock Trail
- Length: 2.3 Miles Roundtrip
- Where: From Spirit Lake Highway
- Elevation Gain: 100 Feet
- Note: Great Easy Trail To See Some Of the Gigantic Effects of The Eruption 40 years On
Harry's Ridge
- Length: 8 Miles Roundtrip
- Where: Johnston Ridge Observatory
- Elevation Gain: 200 Feet
- Note: From The End of Harry's Ridge Gaze Straight Into The Mouth Of The Crater, See Loowit Falls And A Forming Glacier
Lakes Trail
- Length: 8 Miles
- Where: Spirit Lake Highway
- Elevation Gain: 500 Feet
- Note: See Coldwater Lake - A Lake That Didn't Exist Before The Eruption
If coming from the east, there are many more trails on offer. Some of the areas here were not destroyed by the eruption and parts remain coated in ancient forests. Hike closer to the Windy Ridge and see ghostly sights. See old trees all blown down in the same direction and silver logs still floating in Spirit Lake.
Meta Lake
- Length: 1.3 Miles Roundtrip
- Where: Randle Area
- Elevation Gain: 500 Feet
- Note: This Is A Short And Paved Trail Accessible For People In Wheelchairs. Despite Being In The Blast Zone, The Trees Survived Being Buried Under A Thick Blanket Of Snow
These are only a few of the trails in and around Mount St. Helens, to see a more complete list see here.