8
Ways to Make
Mount St. Helens National Monument
Great
COVID-19
Due to the worldwide pandemic, please check for destination travel restrictions prior to visiting/booking
Visit the Visitor Center and watch the movie
Start your visit at the Visitor Center to talk with the rangrs about the trails and definitely see the movie. Spoiler Alert! After a great movie illustrating the eruption and devastation of Mt. St. Helens the curtain lifts revealing floor to ceiling windows with a great view of the volcano.
Hummocks Trail
2.4 mile loop
This trail hikes along what has been mapped by scientists as the former the summit of Mount St. Helens. We particularly enjoyed the changing scenery from wetlands to forest to rocky outcropping. The beautiful foxglove and other wildflowers were in full bloom.
Summit Mt. St. Helens
Reviewing the trail and talking with the rangers, a summit hike would have been attainable by our family after the hiking we had done at Mt. Rainier. We did not leave ourselves time for that, but if your family wants a summit like that, be sure to look into it.
Hike the Johnston Ridge Eruption Trail Loop
This loop tours you around the outside of the visitor center and back down to the parking lot for more views of Mt. St. Helens.
Birth of a Lake Trail
This one probably isn't a must do but we stopped at the picnic area in the parking lot for lunch. This is a flat paved that takes you along Coldwater Lake. There are also restrooms at this parking lot.
