Small-group Mt. St. Helen National Park Tour from Seattle

Discover the dramatic history and geology of Mount St. Helens, the once Fuji-like Cascade peak forever changed by its catastrophic 1980 eruption.

Overview

Itinerary

1. Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, 3029 Spirit Lake Hwy, Castle Rock, WA 98611, 4 hours

   The stop includes an approximate 3 hours driving time from pick up locations:

   Large, step-in model of the volcano
   Life-size mannequins
   Functioning seismograph and live feed of current Mount St. Helens volcano seismicity
   Chronological timeline of events leading up to the volcanic blast on May 18, 1980
   Theater program offered twice an hour; at :05 and :35 after.
   Outdoors, visitors can explore Silver Lake along the 0.6 mile-long trail, including boardwalks over the wetland where a variety of aquatic plants and migratory waterfowl can be viewed at different times of the year.

2. Coldwater Lake, Washington, USA, 1 hour

   On your way to or from the Johnston Ridge Observatory take a side-trip to Coldwater Lake formed by an avalanche during the volcano’s eruption. The lake is just a short distance off the highway. You’ll find a parking area with paths to the lake; restroom, boat launch (electric motors only) and trails (don’t throw away that wrist-band!). You will need them as proof that you’ve paid to visit or hike the trails inside the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument. There are also hiking trails around Coldwater Lake
   Coldwater Lake provides a tranquil ending to a long and scenic experience through a landscape that must be seen to believe.

3. Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, Hwy. 504, milepost 43, Amboy, WA, 1 hour

   The Johnston Ridge Observatory is open seasonally and is located on Johnston Ridge in the center of the 1980 blast zone approximately 8 km (5 mi) north of the Mount St. Helens summit. The Ridge was named in honor of David Johnston, the USGS volcanologist who was on duty at the USGS Coldwater II observation point during the May 18, 1980 eruption. He was one of 57 people who lost their lives in the eruption. The Observatory building houses seismic, deformation, and other monitoring equipment that relays data to the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory for analysis.

4. Eruption Trail, From the 5 Freeway, take the 504, 52 miles east of Castle Rock to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Mount St. Helens, WA, 4 hours

   After this stop , we will head back - 3 hours drive time to drop off locations
   A barrier-free, paved hike of less than one mile from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. The trail includes interpretive kiosks and 360 views of Mount St. Helens and the surrounding blast zone.

Know before you go

• Stroller / pram accessible
• Public transportation is nearby

Pickup, meeting point & start times