"Mount St. Helens is an active stratovolcano located in Skamania County, Washington. It is 96 miles south of Seattle, Washington, and 50 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon. "
Thanks, Wikipidia. I visited this giant wonder of nature in July of 2017. It was a day trip, as I live in Portland. The drive was pleasant and sight-filled. The road signs are easy to read, and I didn't really need my map!
There were three visitors centers that I stopped at. The first along the way was the Seaquest Visitors Center. The admission was $5 for adults, and included a short film. The building and surrounding area are worth a stop and look, even if you don't want to spend the $5. The movie is informative and prepares you for what you are about to see.
The second stop, Forest Learning Center, is... closed on Wednesdays, and that's when I went. The gift shop was open so i made myself a pressed penny and moved on. Great ridge to stand and see your first full view of the volcano!
Arriving at the Johnston Ridge Observatory seemed uneventful, until I parked the car, walked up a curvy path, and suddenly the giant Mount St. Helens was right in front of me. Since I was paying attention to the short film I saw at the first stop, I realized that I was indeed on the side of the eruption, the side that if it were to erupt again, we would all be toast. Neat!
There was an $8 admission fee to the inside of the observatory, and there is a very good 20 minute movie, with a great reveal at the end. In the display area, lots more information on the people that died during the natural catastrophe, and fun geological facts!
Please enjoy my pictures, but I do recommend you take this trip and go take your own!
PS: look for the STEAM that is coming out of the volcano!
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