Visiting Mt. St. Helens (Tacoma, WA)

Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington, is an active stratovolcano that famously erupted in 1980 (which was the most economically destructive volcanic eruption in America since the United States was founded). Located 96 mi. (154 km.) south of Seattle, 80 mi. (129 km.) south of Tacoma, and 50 mi. (80 km.) northeast of Portland (Oregon), it is part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, a segment of the Pacific Ring of Fire that contains over 160 active volcanoes. The mountain’s name comes from the British diplomat, Lord St Helens, a friend of explorer George Vancouver who surveyed area in the late 18th century.

The eruption on May 18, 1980, killed 57 people and destroyed 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 mi. (24 km.) of railways, and 185 mi. (298 km.) of highways. A related earthquake and mudslide reduced the elevation of the summit from 9,677 ft. (2,950 m.) to 8,363 ft. (2,549 m.) and left a horseshoe-shaped crater 1 mi. (1.6 km.) across. Prior to the 1980 eruption, it was the fifth-highest peak in the state.

That time, even Tacoma (80 miles away) was damaged from volcano ash.

Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument was created to preserve and protect the area surrounding the volcano and allow for the aftermath of the eruption to be studied.

I first visited Mount St. Helens in 1992 and it was most impressive since it was not too long after volcano eruption. Since then, I have visited several times. 

There are 3 ways to visit Mount St. Helens. Most people visit through West entrance near the large Visitor Center, since it is the easiest and simplest way to get there. But the West entrance is where people can feel less impact what happened in Mount St. Helens since it is well restored now. Another way is the South entrance. The way I visited the first time was through the East entrance. And it was simply shock and sensation at that time seeing Mount St. Helens.  This time I visited through the East entrance. It is closed in winter, but open in summer. 

The surrounding area still had traces of the volcanic eruption here and there.  

In Mount St. Helens, if you go outside of the designated trail, you get a $100 fine in order to preserve nature and give it a chance to recover.

Admission to Mount St. Helens is $5. If you have a National Forest pass, it is free.

I visited Spirit Lake in Mount St. Helens. The lake was almost covered with dead trees. Yet Mount St. Helens was full of new growth. I felt the amazing power of nature. 
Getting to Mount St. Helens takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes from Tacoma. I think visiting it at the end of summer could be a great time. 



*This posting was translated from a Korean post. Click here to read the original version.