Boundary West — Saturday, May. 12, 2001

South Cascades > Mount St. Helens

Only 2.5 hours from Kent to the parking lot at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. The Boundary Trail is completely snowfree for 2.5 miles and offered fabulous views of St. Helens. It's a very easy trail that follows the ridge along at about 4000-4200' across the north face of the mountain. This area took the full brunt of the big blast and this trail gives an up close view. Some parts of the trail are somewhat hard to follow due to the scouring the area took; no topsoil to define a trail. You'll want lots of water and sun protection here due to the complete lack of any cover or shade. There is a narrow section along a very steep hillside that has a few sections of trail trying to slide downhill. You'll want good boots here for added stability. The tennis shoe crowd (not to mention the Teva sandal and especially the no water or any other supplies crowd) should not attempt this section. Beyond the trail intersection with the Truman trail coming up from below, the trail is harder to follow with some snow covering. Once the ridge is crested, the snow covering was probably 90% with just enough melted to follow with the help of the posts. The snow is melting fast and is not very deep, so don't let that stop you. This is actually probably peak time to do this trail. Too much later and it will be too dusty as evidenced by the dust storms we saw below us on the way out. GO NOW.