Loowit Viewpoint & Johnston Ridge Observatory•Mount St Helens

00:00     Title
00:15     Seaquest State Park
02:15     Silver Lake
04:15     Highway 504
08:20     Castle Lake Overlook
10:35     Coldwater Lake
12:35     Loowit Viewpoint
16:35     Johnston Ridge Observatory
19:44     Fin
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Touring the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument on Highway 504 is an all day adventure that will provide interesting memories to ponder over for many years to come. There is plenty to see and do at the roadside overlooks and following the hiking trails will present even more opportunities. Seven lakes were created when Mount St Helens erupted back in 1980 and one of the most intriguing is Spirit Lake, which is a full day adventure in itself. There are good camping options at the base of the mountain by Silver Lake, which is a world renowned fishing and birdwatching spot. As can be imagined, an entire vacation trip can be planned, so it is best to just set up a basecamp and go for it!

As Highway 504 makes its way up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, there are a few roadside overlooks that simply must be checked out. Clear views of the entire gigantic pyroclastic flow area can be seen along the ridge line at Loowit Viewpoint. The sight that will strike an observer the most in this place is the old logs that are scattered on the ground everywhere for miles around. This was once an old growth tall tree forest before the volcano blew its top and the old burnt logs are all that remains. The volcanic ash explosion was so powerful that many of the big logs show signs of being snapped in half like toothpicks. The trees were knocked down by a force so powerful that it is difficult to imagine, yet while standing in the blast zone it all starts to become real. 

Further uphill on Highway 504 at the end of the line is where the Johnston Ridge Observatory is located. The observatory is the closest viewpoint on this side of the volcano. The views face directly at the side of the cone that recently exploded. The entire valley heading downhill from the volcano actually is the pyroclastic flow avalanche area. When following this wide disaster area with the eyes as it goes downhill, it is easy to see that the previous landscape was completely erased. Fresh new green growth now covers the gray volcanic ash and deep ravines were created by heavy rain erosion. The result is a wild untamed landscape like no other, so be sure to set plenty of time aside when touring the Johnston Ridge Observatory.

If the Johnston Ridge Observatory looks like a thick concrete bomb shelter, it kind of is. Mount St Helens is indeed an active volcano and new puffs of smoke from small eruptions have taken place recently. Back in 1980, even after plenty of scientific data was analyzed, the volcanic explosion event was still a surprise. Volcanoes are a topic area that is still being learned, so it is wise to heed the warnings even if it is just a tiny rumble. If the ground shakes a little bit while at the observatory, it definitely will get the adrenaline flowing.

​Some days are better than others for observing Mount St Helens. The State Of Washington is well known for endless days of continuous rain, so it is best to plan on encountering wet weather. During my trip, the heavy clouds draped the mountain peaks and rain drizzled all day. The volcano cone could not be seen during my visit and the weather was not expected to clear up anytime soon. I settled for what I could get, which was some fantastic views of the rain drenched pyroclastic flow where the fresh new green growth struggles to exist. Mount St Helens certainly is alive in more ways than one and this big intimidating volcano must be experienced to be believed!