Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument in Washington State
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Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is located in Washington State, about a three-hour drive south of Seattle or an hour and a half drive northeast of Portland.
This volcano erupted very aggressively on May 18, 1980, in an explosion that removed its summit and created a large crater in its place. The eruption caused the largest landslide ever documented, which changed the terrain in the area and the shape of the mountain. The fire, heat, and shockwave caused the destruction of the surrounding forests, and to this day, trees can be seen lying in the direction of the blast that hit them.
Below is the view of the volcano before and after its eruption (photographed from a display at the visitor center):
For independent travelers, the monument can be reached from two directions: from the east, driving along Highway 99, or from the west. The two sides are not connected (the mountain's crater lies between them), and since the driving time between the two sides is long, it is advisable to choose one side and drive along it.
Since all the visitor centers that present films, exhibits, and impressive documentation of the eruption are located on the western side of Mount St. Helens, in my opinion, it is better to visit the western side. Additionally, the viewing angle of the crater is better from this side.
It is recommended to reach the mountain from Highway 5 via Highway 504 (Exit 49) because from this direction you can view the mountain from the direction it erupted, and along this road, you can clearly see the flow path that swept the area. This road is a new, high-quality road and the drive is comfortable.
After about five minutes from turning off Highway 5, you reach the site's visitor center located at Silver Lake. Here you can receive guidance on recommended hiking trails, viewpoints, and maps. There are also displays and explanations about the volcano, as well as an interesting film about its eruption (for a modest fee).
Further along the road, about a half-hour drive from Highway 5, you reach the Hoffstadt visitor center, which has a good viewpoint from the observation deck in its front. From there, you can see the volcano and the entire valley leading to it. There is also a snack bar, displays, a memorial site for victims, and helicopter tours for those interested.
Along the way, there are additional viewpoints. It is recommended to stop at as many as possible because each provides a different viewing angle of the mountain and its surroundings. This monument also has wonderful blooming in the summer months.
It is worth stopping at Coldwater Lake (one of the two lakes created following the eruption) before the closest viewpoint to the mountain. There, you can walk on a circular hiking trail (1 km total) along the lake and also above it on walking bridges installed there.
The next point closest to the mountain, about seven miles from it, is at the Johnston Ridge Observatory, about an hour's drive from Highway 5. There is an excellent view of the volcano, geological displays, and two films (different from the one shown at the first visitor center) on a wide screen about the volcano's eruption (included in the price of an annual park pass).
The duration of this visit to the mountain, from turning off until returning to Highway 5, is about 4-5 hours.
Articles about additional nature reserves in the Seattle area: Olympic Park
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