Loowit Wildflowers Shine

 Today my roommates took me to visit mighty Mount St. Helens, known long before that name as Loowit by the Native peoples who have lived in its shadow for countless generations.

 Standing here, it's easy to understand why this mountain has inspired both legends and respect, with its rugged beauty and powerful history.   Even today, the landscape is still flexing it's power.

A few years ago the bridge to the Johnston Ridge Visitors Center washed out and it's still being repaired.  Never fear, this fox found a trail to the visitors center. 

Speaking of history, you might remember what happened in May 1980, when Mount St. Helens erupted with incredible force and forever changed the surrounding landscape.

 Even today, it's amazing to see how nature has recovered while still leaving behind unmistakable reminders of one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in U.S. history.  The forest service decided not to touch anything after the eruption to see what would happen.

Wildflowers are out today. 

Always a sucker for foxglove.  Such a cool plant. 

Part of the trail featured interpretive signs that explained the area's fascinating geologic history. Some had faded from years of sun exposure, but they still told an interesting story about the powerful forces that shaped Loowit and the ever-changing landscape around it.

As the hike continued, more and more wildflowers appeared along the trail, adding bright splashes of color to the volcanic landscape. One thing I couldn't help noticing was how many dandelions had taken over—hardy little plants that seemed perfectly happy to thrive where so much else was still recovering.

Now, back to that landslide that wiped out the bridge. These days, Johnston Ridge Observatory  can only be reached on foot, since the road has never been fully rebuilt. Do you see it way up on the left-hand side? And that big mountain rising in the distance is Mount Adams, another mighty volcano in the Cascade Range.

Finally, it was time for lunch—a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We had the amphitheater all to ourselves, with only a few other hearty souls making the journey up here today. Between the peaceful surroundings and the incredible mountain views, it was the perfect place to sit, relax, and enjoy a well-earned meal.

Johnston Ridge's parking lot was a little eerie. After sitting unused for about three years, it showed clear signs of neglect, and it almost looked as though nature was slowly reclaiming it.....which, I suppose, is rather fitting for a place like this. 

Fortunately, there are plans to reopen the road next May, so this visit will definitely go in the memory books as something unique: not just because of the spectacular wildflowers, but because of the rare silence that settled over the monument without the usual hordes of visitors.

A quick hike at Mt. St. Helens

 Hello Blog World.  Happy July 5th (yep, this is a late blog entry).  Anyway, you might recognize my location as Mt. St. Helens.  

If you were alive back in the day like my roommates you might have known St. Helens as looking like this (until May 18th 1980).

The visitors center isn't open today (but the gift shop is...go figure).  

I met a famous stuffy inside the center.

He didn't really have a lot of time to talk, he was off to help prevent human caused wildfires.

The wildflowers are putting on a show today. 

My goal is Harry's Ridge.  

Harry's Ridge is named after Harry Truman (not the former president a local legend and owner/propietor of St. Helens Lodge.  Harry made a name for himself when he didn't want to evacuathis lodge on Spirit Lake when they knew the volcano was going to erupt. 

As we drove up to the starting point we actually were above the clouds. 

You can see the clouds in the background if you look closely.

Yeah! I made it to Harry's Ridge.  You can see Spirit Lake in the background along with Mt. Adams.  

Spirit Lake looked different before the eruption, there were many camps along the shores and a host of resorts and lodges.  After the eruption it blasted debris to the old spirit lake and swept debris and water to an alternate location.  

One last look at St. Helens and a small section of Spirit Lake before I head back to town.  Rumor has it that there is a possibility for some ice cream on the way back home. 

Keeping paws crossed.  Till next time.

LF

 

On May 18, 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted and 

Mt. St. Helens Adventure

Uh, hello friends I didn't see you there. I am waiting patiently for the presentation by the ranger at Mt. St. Helens.  Looks like I am a little early, that's OK I will sit back and enjoy the view. 

I waited a long time and the ranger didn't come for a talk so I guess I will adventure on my own.  Let's see what I can find. 

The wild flowers are out in full force.  According to the placard near these trees this is all that was left from the eruption in 1980.  The placard states that these trees were 150 feet tall before the eruption.  Not much left except stumps. 

It's a wildflower garden out here.  After the eruption, the park service said that they were going to study the blast zone and see how nature regenerated itself.  First came the elk, they brought seeds, and the birds came afterward with more seeds and 37 years later we have some cool wildflowers.

Of course the entire mountain isn't a wildflower meadow, sigh.  However the landscape is pretty interesting,  Lots of bare areas, a little greenery here and there and lots of open space.  

There are lots of other places to explore at Mt. St. Helens.  This area seems to have lots of flowers and it's in the backcountry. I don't have a permit to travel in the backcountry but I can enjoy it from here.

Now, I heard there is a good ice cream shop down the mountain.  Time to reward myself with a couple of scoops of huckleberry ice cream.