I decided to do one of the loop trips on the N side of Mt. St. Helens NM. I parked at the Goat Mtn. trailhead on FR 2612, it was empty on Fri. afternoon. FR 2750 on the L. Riffe side of the NM was gated due to a slide, so getting to the NM via Goat Creek would add 3+ miles to the trip each way. On the advice of the ranger in Randle, I decided to do the 213-213A-217 loop counterclockwise. Trail 213 was in fine shape, having been cleared by horse crews. I only saw hoofprints in the soft, dusty soil, no boot prints at all. After spending the night about 4 miles in at the edge of the burn zone, I headed into the forested NW section of #213. There's some equine-induced mudholes on this section, but they're not bad. Trail 213A climbs steadily, but not steeply over the next 3+ miles to the saddle just to the S of Vanson Pk. It was raining at the time and views were nonexistant so I passed the 1/2 mi. side trip to the top of Vanson Pk. The skies started to clear as I proceeded SE on #217. Deadman Lake was quite a disappointment. Very crowded with lots, and I mean lots, of horse crap everywhere. If/when I do this trip next time, I'll probably check out camping at Deep L., as it appears that few horses go that way. After spending a smelly night camping at Deadman L., I proceeded on #217 around the N end of a prominent crest on the ridge line. At this point, beneath some very impressive basalt cliffs, were two small snow patches, neither of which were difficult to cross. The trail then reentered the burn zone after encountering a few minor blowdowns. Magnificent sweeping views! The SE section of #217 is the ""money shot"" of the whole trip. The next 3+ miles along the ridgeline was spectacular, as the sky was as clear as I'd seen it all summer. From at least 2 vantage points you could see 5 volcanoes (Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, Hood, & Washington). #217 is also very exposed along this section, not a good place to stumble. After the ridge walk, #217 drops precipitously to FR 2612. In short, the SW section of #217 had some of the best views I'd seen in awhile, but you'll pay for it in sweat. Oddly enough, the bugs were not bad throughout the entire loop.

To access from its western terminus take the Weyerhaeuser 2500 road off the Spirit Lake Memorial Hwy. 15 miles in the road is washed out and blocked with a boulder pile. Follow the ATV tracks to the remaining road and walk 3 miles in to the TH left of the concrete bridge over the Green River. There is old growth in the river bottoms and ghost forest on the ridge tops left over from the volcanic blast in '80. Many mud holes churned up from recent horse riders. Lots of small creeks crossing the trail. Solitude is the key word here....no one else on the trail. Peace and Quiet with the Green River never far away singing its song. Go here!