It's hard to believe that Mt. St. Helens in July would offer much more to a hiker than hot breezes and grit, but we've hiked the Boundary Trail and Truman trails this time of year every year because of the incredible abundance of wildflowers. Literally the entire pumice plain turns purple. We're always so surprised that we never see anyone down there this time of year and it finally dawned on us that it may be because you can't see the flowers from up at the observatories - there are so many that the color just sort of blends in. I would seriously say that the wildflowers along this trail rival those at Rainier - the atmosphere is a little different (no shade!) but they are definitely worth the walk. Be sure to leave very early in the morning and you'll be back out by the time it gets really hot - and then you'll have your chance to hang with the elk, too. Bonus: no one parks at Johnston Ridge at 7am. There are no reliable water sources on this hike so be sure to bring enough water.

Today was a great day to look back and take in the history of the great eruption of Mount St. Helens which occurred 30 years ago. The mountain was beautiful in all of its glory, the weather was perfect with blue skies and no clouds and the wildflowers were putting on a beautiful show of all colors - red, orange, yellow, white, pink, blue and purple. The Johnston Ridge Observatory at 4,200' via Route 504 is a beautiful facility offering activities and programs through out the day for all ages. They also have a gift shop for those who love to check out books, postcards and nicknacks representing Mount St. Helens and the area. One can easily take a short, black-top paved hike on the Eruption Trail directly connected to the outside observation deck with beautiful views. This trail is less than one mile. The Eruption Trail ends and one can continue on Boundary Trail #1 (no longer a paved trail - for those prepared to take a day hike). Boundary Trail #1 leads one to the choice of continuing on Boundary Trail #1 to Harry's Ridge Trail #808 to an elevation of 4,400' or travel south on to Truman Trail #207. The views are incredible and wildflowers are everywhere no matter what trail you take. Boundary Trail #1 becomes quite narrow after about one mile prior to the choice of trails as mentioned above. One needs to take caution in hiking the second mile along the ridge as there was a "one shoe-width" area on dry, sandy and rocky surface to traverse. A large group was traveling ahead of us with 3 who decided to turn around at this point. Their guide commented this area was much more treacherous than last year. Acrophobia became the word for the moment so, not wanting to spoil the day for our group, we turned around as well. With everyone feeling more comfortable off of the narrow ridge, time was taken to sit and enjoy lunch and the views. This is a wonderful time to visit Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Johnston Ridge Observatory opens at 10:00 a.m. but one can arrive early, prior to the facility opening, park and hike. Arriving early certainly has its advantages to avoid the crowds and ensure a quiet hike. The facility kindly requests you return to the observatory and pay the $8 per person admission fee to help support the observatory and their efforts to preserve the area. Thirty years ago the mountain erupted. How memorable to be able to visit today.

We took the easterly approach to Mt. Margaret, from the Norway Pass trailhead, via Norway Pass. Saturday turned out to be a good day for this hike, though not quite a perfect one. As there is almost no shade on this trail (the whole route is in the area devastated by the 1980 eruption), the mild temperature and cool breeze was very helpful. St. Helens was fully out until around 2 PM, when clouds began to obscure the top 2000’ or so. What appeared to be several elk were visible cooling off on a snowbank 1000’ or so below the trail at one point. As no one had remembered to bring their binoculars, we could not be certain – but elk are always worth looking for on this hike. The huckleberries are getting very good on the lower sections of the route (up to and a little ways beyond Norway Pass). Lots of flowers still blooming. The trail is snowfree except for one fairly small patch on the east side of Mt. Margaret (since this snowslope was not seriously steep, there was minimal risk in crossing on the softened afternoon snow if done reasonably carefully - poles are desirable), and a couple of other snowpatches which had melted just enough to expose the outer edge of the trail. There were several blowdowns (or, more accurately, slidedowns) but none presented any serious difficulty. There was also a boulder that had slid onto the trail – again, no serious difficulty in bypassing. There is still running water at Bear Camp; not a lot, but quite sufficient for reasonably patient campers. Bugs were minimal to nonexistent.

Parked at Johnson Ridge Observatory and headed up Boundary 1 as far as possible. Trail was clear and easy until the north facing slopes just before St. Helens Lake. The snow patches were short enough (100 yards) there to cross and find the trail again on the other side. Views were great when the clouds allow. The Arch just prior to St. Helens lake is incredible. Trail was snow free once it rounds to the east facing ridge by St. Helens Lake. Intermittent snow patches thereafter until we finally lost the trail for good at the Margaret Camp, just below Mt. Margaret. We traveled another 1/3 mile looking for the trail, but could not locate it. Trail was in good condition from my perspective and minimal elevation gain (1600' gain from Trail 207 connection) for attaining that high of country. Wild flowers blooming between the snow, even at the highest points. Approximately 23 mile round trip made for a tiring day. Weather was sunny, raining, sleeting, snowing, blowing hard to no wind. Typical high country weather.

After a morning wake-up call on the stairmaster at Windy Ridge viewpoint, headed to the Norway Pass trailhead. Skies were blue, bugs few, birds abundant, and colors abounded along the trail. It seemed like a place that time forgot since many wild flowers were still in bloom (including paintbrush) while the shrubbery blazed in their finest autumn reds and yellows. With the many white flowers and red leaves and blue sky, it was all very patriotic. Hiked 5.5 miles to a viewpoint of St Helens Lake. Below Mt Margaret a herd of elk stood on a rocky ridge. During my drive through Mt St Helens Monumet, my jaunt up and down the hlll at Windy Ridge, and my 4.5 hour hike at Norway Pass, I saw no one until my drive out when I passed a couple at the first viewpoint. I had the whole park to myself (not counting the forestry workers and their helicopter)... very odd for it being such a sunny and cool day with the colors and views on the trails so grand.