Mount St Helens

The East Side

The east side of the mountain is the least seen. It requires driving the long way around the mountain, through Yale and Cougar. Some of the most spectacular scenery can be seen here though. The popular west side, with it's visitor centers and easy access to I-5 offers a great view of the blast scene and provides great interpretive services. But, the east side shows a side of Mount St. Helens that isn't as affected by the 1980 eruption. It begins by leaving Woodland and heading east to Cougar. From here you can see Ape Caves or head up to Climber's Bivouac for a climb just to the north. Or, you can continue around the south side of the mountain, stopping to visit Ape Canyon and Lava Canyon. The "Ape" part of these names is a testament to the numerous Bigfoot sightings in the area. As you continue on you'll head north until you are on the east side of the mountain. From here you can drive up to Windy Ridge and visit the devastation in this area. Rather than the huge Lahars, or mudflows, that blanketed the Touttle River valley, this area was affected more by ash fallout and by waves of superheated air destroying things in their path. It also affords access to Spirit Lake and a number of other hiking trails.

Wildflowers

Taken on the Harmony Falls Trail, this view shows the wildflowers that are taking root in the fields to the east. This view looks southwest to the crater as the mountain looms in the background.

Harmony Trail

The Harmony Trail heads down into a valley that was hit by a tidal wave from Sprit Lake when the mountain slide into the lake. The backwash of this deposited dead tress ripped from the opposing shore and left them lying all over. The ash deposited in this area makes this a very hot and dry hike during summer months and you'll need water for the uphill climb to return to the ridge.

Spirit Lake

At the base of the Harmony Trail is Spirit Lake. Littered with large trees and driftwood is still looks out at the volcano that overshadows it. Because of it's new isolation, recreation and boating is no longer possible but this hike will give you a unique perspective on the lake and it's transformation.

Windy Ridge

Approaching Windy Ridge are large stands of snags, or dead trees. These snags were killed by the superheated blast wave and subsequent ash fallout. Any trees that were on the high sides of ridges were snapped of by the supersonic shock wave as it carried huge rocks and trees from the mountain at supersonic speeds. The trees that were down low were not snapped off but remain today as snags.

Flattened Car

A couple that had a small mining operation lived on this slope. Their mine was buried during the eruption and their car was flattened by blast debris and hurled onto the mountainside.

Lava Canyon

Lava Canyon was previously unknown until recently. This densely forested area was stripped clean by Lahars during the 1980 eruption, exposing a canyon formed by a previous eruption. This previous eruption contained lava flows that formed the hard volcanic rock walls of the canyon. Once the trees were stripped off the canyon was exposed. The trees presently in this canyon have all been new growth within the last 25 years. The US Forest Service maintains a trail system in this areas as well as a hanging bridge to cross over upstream.

Lava Canyon Waterfalls

Lava Canyon has some impressive waterfalls. However, a number of hikers have fallen to their death in this area and signs are placed warning of this. The problem is that much of the snowmelt finds it's way to this canyon. As it crashes into and through the canyon it sprays all over the volcanic rock. This rock gets very slippery and the surfaces gradually round over into the canyon rather than having a defined cliff edge. It's recommended to stick to the trails in this area.

Ape Canyon

Ape Canyon isn't as deep as it used to be because the mud flows from the 1980 eruption filled in much of it. The canyon was named after numerous Bigfoot sightings in this area. The runoff from this side of Mount St. Helens flows down this canyon over the rocky debris from it's last eruption. One fairly reputable account is off a hunter who shot a Bigfoot years before the 1980 eruption. The Bigfoot fell into the canyon. That night as the hunters were gathered inside their cabin there was a racket outside as a number of Bigfoots were throwing rocks and large logs at the cabin. There are plenty of "sightings" in this area and books can be found locally detailing them.