Mt. St. Helens

August 18, 2012  Mt. St. Helens

Most of us who were around in 1980 remember the eruption of Mt. St. Helens.  The eruption sent enormous amounts of rock, snow and ice down the mountain's north flank at speeds greater than 200 MPH.  Part of the avalanche plunged into Spirit Lake, raising its surface level by 200 feet.  Still more debris filled the Toutle River Valley to an average of 150 feet.  The blast destroyed nearly all vegetation and wildlife for 6 miles north of the volcano.  An ash cloud rose from the summit and turned daylight into night for 125 linear miles.  Fifty-seven people died in the explosion.  It was truly a memorable and devastating event.

Mt. St. Helens

To see the destruction that is still evident 32 years later is an awesome sight.  The National Monument here is a place where scientists are studying how life renews itself after such a cataclysmic occurrence, and it is wonderful to see how Spirit Lake and the valley below the crater are supporting life again.  The area outside of the monument has been reseeded and is also growing well.

Ash, pumice, and dead trees.

Spirit Lake--with logs still floating there since the eruption.  

On top of the overlook. 

To see the trees that were felled on the mountains and into the lake and those that were far enough away to remain standing even though the heat killed them is a testament to the forces of nature.   This was one of the most interesting visits of the whole trip.  An excellent ranger talk was very informative, and Steve and I hiked 437 steps up a sand ladder to get a closer look at the crater.  There was a lot of huffing and puffing going on, but the view was worth it.

The sand ladder-alias 437 steps

Steve heading back down the steps.   

Mt. Ranier seen from Mt. St. Helens

Gary Rosenquist was camped at Bear Meadow about 11 miles away from the volcano when it exploded.  Before fleeing the area he snapped 22 photos of the eruption, and these are the only photos of it in existence.  If you have seen any pictures or videos of the actual eruption, you have seen the pictures he took.   We were fortunate to get to meet and talk to him at the Cascade View Visitor's Center.  Talk about being in the right place at the right time, he was!   He said that several of the pictures were taken through the windshield as his car backed down the hill to the old logging road.

Gary Rosenquist

Ranger with one of Gary's pictures. 

While on the mountain we met a girl who has ridden her bicycle over 9,000 miles, alone.   She had come here from Wisconsin and was going to visit friends in Seattle then riding to San Diego!   You go girl!

We had a final dinner with Gary and Barb tonight, as they are leaving early tomorrow to visit an aunt in Spokane.  It will be strange not to have their RV in front or behind us when we leave here.  They have made a wonderful trip even more wonderful because we were able to share experiences with them.  We will miss them!

Great traveling companions!