September is a great month to visit Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington State, USA. I hiked the trail from the Johnston Ridge Observatory with photographer Nona Litch, 30 years after the massive eruption of 1980.
Photos of Hiking from Johnston Ridge to Spirit Lake
While I had previously walked at the Coldwater Lake Visitor's Center, I hadn't visited this closest trail to the mountain. Where forests once stood, even 30 years later only wildflowers and low shrubs have returned. Mount St. Helens didn't erupt with fiery lava, but with the most massive landslide ever recorded and a lateral blast that destroyed every living thing for miles.
From Johnston Ridge, there is an easy paved trail and an opportunity for a 4 mile-round trip easy hike.? For those who want to go further to the best views of Spirit Lake, it is a bit more difficult and a 7.8 mile round trip.
Photos of Hiking from Johnston Ridge to Spirit Lake
Photo © Nona Litch
No comments:
Post a Comment