Mount St. Helens

What's that? Mount St. Helens is just down the road from Mt. Rainier? Let's check it out!

I drove in through the East entrance where the road abruptly ends at a parking lot 4 miles from the mountain. Some nice views of Mt. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Hood and Spirit Lake. Dead trees can still be seen floating in Spirit Lake from the 1980 eruption.

Beers were shared with a fellow traveler as we watched the sunset over the lake. Then, late at night I awoke to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower which was absolutely spectacular. 

The next morning I set off towards the active volcano. The trails from the East don't actually lead up the volcano, so I hiked as close as I could via the trails and then found my own way up, occasionally following mountain goat tracks. A couple months back, I had talked with a guy who mentioned that he hiked around Mount St. Helens 20 years ago and happened upon some hot springs. I made it my mission to try and find these supposed springs. 

Spirit Lake with Rainier towering behind it

I ended up getting into some pretty dicey situations as I struggled to find a good way up the steep and crumbly slopes. I eventually reached an impasse where going farther or higher was too dangerous. Satisfied with how far I got, I carefully made my way back down and back to my car. No hot springs were found, but it was a fun hike regardless.

This steep slope of pumice and ash was no easy climb

The path of destruction caused by the eruption in 1980 can still be clearly seen.