Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Travel Information
Most residents of Oregon and Washington remember when Mt. St. Helens
blew her top. An earthquake in 1980 preceded her eruption, blanketing
towns hundreds of miles away in volcanic ash and permanently altering
the mountain's face. Plants and animals in the blast zone were
destroyed instantly, as were 57 people -- scientists and residents.
Life returned to Mt. St. Helens sooner than experts expected, and
today there are once again green trees, guests and squirrels. For the
last two decades visitors have been able to visit the volcanic cone
and surrounding area for a personal look at the damage and recovery
process. In September 2004, earthquakes and emissions led to the
closure of routes to the top. Since then, some areas further from the
summit have opened again to campers and hikers, though sinister
rumblings as recently as July of 2005 have kept mountain trails
off-limits. The volcanic advisory is presently at level 2 based on
findings that indicate another explosion is eventually likely but not
necessarily imminent. Watch for steam emissions from the safety of
Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, or get closer to the volcano at the
Johnston Ridge Observatory. Mount Margaret Back-country recently
re-opened to campers and hikers with the appropriate permits. For
short hikes in the 1980 blast area, visit Meta Lake on the east side
of the monument. Take a flashlight to explore the dark recesses of
Ape Cave, a lava tube formed 2,000 years ago. Mt. St. Helens is a
two-hour drive south of Seattle and an hour north of Portland, Oregon.
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