Washington Cascades - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 353

( 10am-6pm mid-May-late Oct) Situated at the end of Hwy 504 and looking directly into
the mouth of the crater, the observatory has exhibits that take a more scientific angle than
the Silver Lake center, depicting the geologic events surrounding the 1980 blast and how
they advanced the science of volcano forecasting and monitoring. The paved 1-mile
round-trip Eruption Trail offers once-in-a-lifetime views toward the crater.
Activities
Ask a ranger at the Silver Lake Visitor Center to direct you to the best trail for the weath-
er and distance you want to tackle - they'll also provide basic trail maps. Suggested
hikes include a circumnavigation of Coldwater Lake on the 9-mile Lakes Trail/Coldwa-
ter Trail (hikes 211 and 230), through an area of forest blow-down and developing shrubs
(with 2500ft of ascent, the trail is graded 'difficult'), and the Truman Trail (hike 207;
named after the unfortunate Harry Truman, who perished in the eruption), which leads
from the Windy Ridge viewpoint through pumice fields and wildflower fields for 5.7
miles. The 2.5-mile Hummocks Trail (hike 229) is a good choice when the upper areas
haven't yet opened for summer, and loops around mounds of volcanic debris (called
hummocks) as well as along the Toutle River for spectacular views of the mountain.
Mt St Helens' version of Mt Rainier's Wonderland trail is the 30-mile Loowit Trail
(hike 216) that circumnavigates the volcano, crossing numerous ecosystems. Since the
destructive storms that wracked the whole Pacific Northwest area in November 2006 the
trail quality has been patchy; inquire at Silver Lake Visitor Center before setting out.
Tours
Eco Tours of Oregon TOUR
( www.ecotours-of-orgeon.com ; 3127 SE 23rd Ave, Portland; $59.50) Runs a Mt St Helens vol-
cano tour from mid-June to late September. The eight-hour tour ($59.50 plus $8 park
entry fee) leaves from Portland's hotels at 9am and visits Silver Lake Visitor Center, the
Coldwater Lake recreation area and Johnston Ridge Observatory.
PARK INFORMATION
For information online visit www.fs.fed.us/gpnf . The entrance fee for the Mt St
Helens National Volcanic Monument is $8. There are three entrances to this
uniquely beautiful mountain: the main 'westside' via Castle Rock on Rte 504, a