If you go in the morning, especially before the sun is drying the landscape, bring extra pair of socks. My hiking boots and socks were soaked from the water/moisture on the grass and plants covering the trail. Once I finally reached the Observatory, I dried my toes and changed socks.

Also, the trailhead is a bit farther than the 29 mile point highlighted in WTA description. It was foggy when I arrived yet the signage was easy to find.

It was misty when i got to trailhead and I was the only car in the lot around 10:15a. I did Hummocks then Boundary all the way to the Observatory and back. I’d recommend taking the rest of Hummocks Loop when you get to the well-signed intersection because the other part of the Loop features marshland and other traits not seen on any part of the long hike. In total, All-Trails said that I’d hiked 12 miles.

Remember the extra pair of socks! And have a wonderful hike.

The Johnson Observatory was semi-swamped with bus tours. Which in of it’s self wouldn’t be so bad, except that they leave their engines running. We began this lollipop like hike from the opposite end, at the Hummock trailhead.

The destruction and newness of St Helens hasn’t worn off for me yet. Steep crumbly hillsides of sand, rock, and ash; first succession plants, and newby forests of Red Alder; alongside the dominating presence of the blast zone. It is just incredible. The Hummock Trail was a completely new concept for us. Hummocks are rounded piles of dirt. These piles were deposited about 10 miles from St Helens when the initial explosions occurred. They resemble dump-truck loads of dirt just absent-mindedly dropped in a field.

Since the eruption many of the spaces between piles (err, hummocks) have filled up with water. The entire area has become a new, innocent forest. Waterfowl thrives in these small ponds, and a Red Alder forest has sprung up. The trail winds in and out of these ponds and hills. The loop is done in a quick 2 miles. At the far end of the loop we chose to continue hiking the Boundary Trail as it rises up a ridge line to the Johnson Observatory.

Signs of elk were everywhere, but alas no sightings. Nearly as hard to see were the succulent, fresh strawberries. We ate more than a few of those. The wildflowers were great and the crowds along the trail minimal. This loop section of our hike was a great hike for kids.

Fantastic day yesterday to hike. Did our homework on WTA to check what hikes would be suitable for kids under 5years old and it was very helpful the site and the trail was great for my 5yr old and my 1 4mnths baby. Only thing when we arrived at the loop where hummock trail and bounty trail meets we decided to finish 2 mile loop it was a long one for my 5year old and there were parts where it was steep; so keep cautious of stopping and encouraging the little ones. My 1yr old was carried 90% of the time so he was manageable. But overall it was amazing 😉. My five year old loved the creeks and the streams, and the sounds.