Bill Bikes
My bicycling expeditions and jaunts

Home  News  Tours  Rides  Articles  Riders  Pix  Links  About  Search


Mount St Helens
16 August 2022

This was a hike-then-bike expedition to the mountain that erupted violently back in 1980.

We spent the night in the town of Castle Rock, then drove up to the Johnston Ridge observatory and visitor center facing Mount St Helens. A warm but clear morning made for excellent viewing conditions, unlike previous foggy visits.

From Johnston Ridge my ace support crew led me on a nine-mile (?) hike to Harry's Ridge on a winding, up-and-down trail with almost constant views as we drew closer to the mountain. At the summit of Harry's Ridge (named, I believe, after old-timer Harry Truman who refused to abandon his home and died when the mountain exploded) we had terrific, clear views of Spirit Lake and Mount St Helens, with Mount Adams and Mount Hood in the far distance. We met several other hikers there, including two sisters who—we learned later—are part of my ace support crew's online "All Women, All Trails" hiking group.

After hiking back to Johnston Ridge, I switched from hiking mode to biking mode and set off downhill aboard the Ogre. My ace support crew remained at the visitor center to watch the film, examine the exhibits, and talk to the rangers. Eventually she drove down the road and caught up with the Ogre and me.

At that point we headed for Portland and further exploration.

My ace support crew greets Mount St Helens at an overlook on the drive up to Johnston Ridge.


On the trail from Johnston Ridge to Harry's Ridge, plenty of these stumps remain as reminders of how the force of the volcanic explosion shattered and toppled huge trees for miles around.


Along the trail to Harry's Ridge.


Ace support crew motoring up the trail.


Spirit Lake with Mount Adams in the distance.


Floating logs and branches on Spirit Lake.


Mount St Helens as seen from summit of Harry's Ridge.

Ace support crew prepares to unleash a victory dance.


The broken mountain.

Plenty of lingering snow covered by dust, soot, and ash.


Still venting.


Lava dome in what's left of the caldera.


Old man and mountain.


The trail back to Johnston Ridge.

The low, fortress-like observatory and visitor center can barely be seen as a dark horizontal smudge on the bald ridge to the right.


Back on Johnston Ridge, Old Grumble-Face prepares to roll down the mountainside.


A view on the way down.


Had to pause for another shot of the mountain.


A helpful German visitor snapped my photo at one of the viewpoints along the way.

After that, it was a high-speed downhill blitzkrieg until ace support crew and Forester eventually caught up with me.


Summary

Date: 16 August 2022
Time: 2:00 - 2:30 (ride only)
Weather: 85°, sunny
Route: Down from Johnston Ridge visitor center at Mount St Helens
Distance: 9 miles
Bike: Ogre
Riders: Solo


Comments? Questions? Suggestions? I'd like to hear from you.


~ 63 ~



Home   News   Tours   Rides   Articles   Riders   Pix   Links   About   Search
bstone@sonic.net

Bill Stone

::: Bill Books ::: Bill Bikes ::: Bill Games ::: Copyright © 1983-2021 Bill Stone