Seattle: Mt. St. Helens National Monument Small Group Tour – Castle Rock, Washington

EXPERIENCE

Mount Saint Helen’s is a volcano that forever lives in the minds of Americans and the world. During the events that surrounded the 1980 eruption, lives changed in an instant, and the mountaintop’s geography was forever altered. Today, you can experience this unique volcano and all the flora and fauna that makes this impressive reforestation project so dramatic.

On May 14th, 2023 Spirit Lake Highway leading up to Mt. St. Helens experienced a massive mudslide due to rapid melting of snowpack following a weekend of exceptionally warm spring temperatures. The mudslide is currently blocking access to Spirit Lake Highway about 9 miles before Johnston Ridge Observatory. The only destination this impacts is access to the Johnston Ridge viewing area. For this season, the park crews have opened public access to the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater Lake to the public which sits up on a ridge and offers very similar views to what you could expect at Johnston Ridge.

On the way into the Monument you may stop at Lewis & Clark State Park to bask in the shadow of the old-growth forests that once covered the northern reaches of the mountain, or at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge to explore estuary wetlands. You’ll traverse the barren landscapes, stopping for a peaceful hike along the Hummocks Trail and then you might head down to Coldwater lake and enjoy a family style picnic lunch next to the water.

End the day on a high note (literaly) as we wind up a bit in elevation to a view from above Coldwater Lake and the most direct peak into the crater on clear weather days. Enjoy browsing the interpretive info, take photographs, or find a quick gift for a loved one back home. Then we’ll head back to Seattle and everyone will be dropped off back at their hotel.

HIGHLIGHTS

See Mt. St. Helens
Enjoy naturalist guided walks
Spot some wildlife
Take up geological sightseeing
Learn about local and natural history

Discover more exciting & fun things to do in Castle Rock