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North Side of Mt. St. Helens
North Side of Mt. St. Helens
J ust beyond reach of the volcano's power, the forest north of Mount St. Helens offers many opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing and exploring.
Trails, campgrounds, and old growth forests can all be found just north of the National Volcanic Monument in the Randle Ranger District. These areas relatively unaffected by the volcano offer a sharp contrast to the blast area just a few miles to the south.
The Woods Creek Information Station is located 6 miles south of Randle on Forest Road 25. The few minutes it takes to pull into this station may help you plan an event-filled day (or more) at Mount St. Helens. Stay in you car for drive-through service, or come inside to browse through the Northwest Interpretive Association sales outlet. Open daily May 27 to Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Iron Creek Campground and Picnic Area is located 12 miles south of Randle on Forest Road 25. It's close enough to Mount St. Helens for day trips and is in an area of many recreation possibilities within the Cascade mountain range. This 98 site campground is in an old-growth setting, with the Cispus River as a backdrop. Campsites are available for reservations by calling 1-800-280-CAMP. Sites are also available on a first come, first served basis. Iron Creek is a fee campground-water and garbage services are provided. The Iron Creek Picnic Area is just south of the campground entrance on Forest Road 25. Facilities include two picnic shelters, eight individual sites, charcoal grills, water and restrooms. All facilities are barrier-free.
The Iron Creek Campfire Program is held every Saturday evening throughout the summer. In June and July it begins at 8 p.m. Shortening days shift starting time to 7:30 p.m. in August. The programs are for the entire family and include songs and interpretive talks.
North Side Trails
Boundary Trail #1
Distance:(Truman Trail #207 to Norway Pass Trailhead)—11 miles (one way)
(Norway Pass Trailhead to Elk Pass Trailhead)—6 miles (one way)
(Elk Pass Trailhead to Council Lake)—16.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: More difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: Road 26, Norway Pass Trailhead; Road 25, Elk Pass Trailhead
Connecting Trails: Independence Pass Trail #227, Table Mtn. Trail #263, Quartz Creek Trail #5.
Boundary Trail #1 is located northeast of Mount St. Helens. This trail offers hikers the chance to experience the contrast between growing green forests and a standing dead forest. Features: Views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams; pass above St. Helens Lake and discover a raft of logs floating upon its surface, striking crater views, high-country meadows, and views of numerous lakes including Spirit Lake.
French Creek Trail #5C
Distance: 3.25 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: Most Difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: Begins at the upper portion of Quartz Creek Trail #5; Ends at Boundary Trail #1
This is an unmaintained trail following the French Creek drainage. It connects Quartz Creek Trail #5 to Boundary Trail #1. It's accessed from the Quartz Creek Trail. The trail is unsigned and difficult to follow. A contour map and orienteering skills are recommended.
Iron Creek Old-Growth Trail #83
Difficulty Level: Easy
This barrier-free trail begins and ends in the Iron Creek Picnic Area. The 0.25-mile, compacted gravel trail loops through an ancient forest. interpretive signs help explain how a root disease has impacted the forest.
Iron Creek Campground Trail #187
Difficulty Level: Easy
Difficulty Level: Easy
You can catch this trail from the Iron Creek Picnic Area or from many areas within the Iron Creek Campground. The 1.5-mile trail follows the Cispus River and twists through magnificent Western red cedar and Douglas-fir forests.
Truman #207
Distance: 7 miles (One Way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: Road 99
Located in the Spirit Lake Basin, this trail provides a connection between the Windy Ridge parking lot and the Boundary Trail. The trail is located entirely within the devastated area d Mount St. Helens and offers unparalleled views of pyroclastic flows, mudflows, the debris avalanche and recovering vegetation. The trail passes through an area classified as a class-one research area, in which intensive scientific research is being conducted on the recovery of natural vegetation and ecosystems. In this area hikers are required to stay on the trail. Persons wandering from the trail risk substantial fines if caught.
Meta Lake Trail #210
Distance: 0.25 mile (one way)
Difficulty Level: Easiest
Open to: Hiking, wheel chair accessible
Access: Begins at Forest Rd. 99 Miners Car Viewpoint; Ends at Meta Lake
From the Miner's Car, enjoy a 15 minute stroll on a paved trail where you can discover small evergreen trees, fish and frogs that survived the eruption buried beneath snow and ice. Search for signs of beaver and other life that have returned to the blast area. This maintained trail follows a level grade to Meta Lake. The paved surface is 3 1/2 feet wide. The trail returns via the same route.
Lakes Trail #211
Distance: 0.5 mile in each direction from junction with the Elk Bench Trail #211D.
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: SR 504 to the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, via the Elk Bench Trail #211D.
This trail traverses the western edge of Coldwater Lake. Currently hikes may travel 1/2-mile each way from the junction with the Elk Bench Trail #211 D. The southern section d the trail is closed due to construction at the Coldwater Lake boat and barrier-free fishing trail. Fishing access trails that take anglers to the water's edge will be open to permit holders only.
Elk Bench Trail #211D
Distance: 3/4 mile (one way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: SR 504 to the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center.
This trail descends quickly from the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center to the Lakes Trail #211. The hike is easy going down, but be prepared for a strenuous hike back up to the trailhead. Discover the spectacular views of Coldwater Lake, the crater, and the lava dome as you walk the trail. Round-trip hiking time is approx. 1.5 hours.
Green River Trail #213
Distance: 7.2 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking, horse
Access: Road 2612/036 spur, Ends Weyco Road 2500
Connects: Goat Mountain Trail #217 via Vanson Ridge Trail #213A.
Located on the northeast side of Mount St. Helens, this trail begins at the Road 2612/036 spur at an elevation of 2560 feet, and drops down to 1830 feet. The trail meanders along the Green River, offering many pools for fishing. Hikers wander through deep dark forests of old growth, enjoying breathtaking beauty in these old giants.
Goat Mountain Trail #217
Distance: 8.6 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking, horses
Access: Road 2612, Ryan Lake connecting with Tumwater Trail #218, Vanson Peak Trail #217A, Vanson Ridge Trail #213A
Access: connects Goat Mountain Trail #217 to Green River Trail #213
Located northeast of Mount St. Helens, Goat Mountain Trail #217 begins on Road 2612 near Ryan Lake. Enjoy an exhilarating hike through the blast area, from Ryan Lake up to the alpine terrain of Goat Mountain. Cross and recross the thin line that meant life or death on May 18, 1980, as you weave in and out of a living green forest and standing dead trees. Features: Views of Mount St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, high-mountain lakes.
Quartz Creek Big Tree Trail #219
Difficulty Level: Easy
Difficulty Level: Easy
Quartz Creek Big Tree Interpretive Site is a .5-mile barrier-free trail. Giant Douglas fir trees, some 10 feet across (diameter at breast height) and up to 750 years old are found here. When walking through this cool, dark forest you might find it difficult to believe Quartz Creek is just 1 mile from the devastated forest in the volcanic blast area. To get there, take Forest Road 26 south from the junction with Forest Road 25 for 8 miles and then turn onto Forest Road 2608. Follow this gravel road for 1 mile to the trail head. (Road 26 is a paved, single-lane road with turn outs. Trailers and RV's are not recommended).
Harmony Trail #224
Distance: 1.0 mile (one way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking
Access: Road 99
Located on the northeast side of Mount St. Helens, the trail begins at the Harmony Falls Viewpoint, which overlooks the east arm of Spirit Lake. The trail descends along the north side of a ridge into the basin and the shore of Spirit Lake. Features: Wash mark from the 1980 eruption, pattern of blown-down trees, sheltering effect of ridge, Harmony Falls Creek. Excellent views into the crater and dome across fog mat lake.
Independence Pass Trail #227
Distance: 3.5 miles (one way)
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
Open to: Hiking, children
Access: Road 99, road 26 via Norway Pass Trailhead Boundary Trail #1 connecting to Independence Pass Trail #227
This trail offers striking views of St. Helens, the crater, lava dome and Spirit Lake only 1/4 mile from the trailhead. Continuing north, hikers venture through the blast zone, rock pinnacles, and then tie into Boundary Trail #1 at Norway Pass.
Winds Of Change Interpretive Trail #232
Distance: 1/4 mile loop trail
Difficulty Level: Easy/Most Difficult Barr.-Free
Open to: Hiking, Barrier-Free
Access: SR 504 to the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center
Discover how the stone-filled wind of the 1980 eruption slammed into Coldwater Ridge, and how plants and animals return. This 1/4 mile loop trail accessible to all people provides sweeping views of the Toutle River Valley . The trail begins just south of the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. This is the location of several environmental education research plots. Please respect ongoing studies by students in the Scientific Training Observation Program. Plenty of benches along this trail make it a wonderful stroll for people of all ages and abilities.
Woods Creek Watchable Wildlife Trail #247 and Picnic Area
Difficulty Level: Easy
Difficulty Level: Easy
This 1.5-mile barrier-free trail explores diverse habitats of many plants and animals. Located directly across from the Woods Creek Information Station, the trailhead leads into a mixed hardwood/conifer forest, breaks into an open meadow, crosses Woods Creek, and several beaver ponds, then loops back into a hardwood forest. The picnic area is located at the trailhead. Facilities include nine individual picnic sites, three charcoal grills and a restroom, all barrier-free.
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Spirit Lake Memorial Highway
Details mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication
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