Boundary West — Saturday, Sep. 14, 2002

South Cascades > Mount St. Helens

Our indomitable leader, DL, is slowly working through the many miles of the Boundary Trail, which runs from Coldwater Creek to Mt. Adams. Starting from Elk Pass off of FR 25, this hike follows a ridge four miles east to Badger Lake (4900 ft.) and then Trail 257 1/4 mile to Trail 257A to climb 1/2 mile to Badger Peak, an old lookout site. The trail is open to motorcycles, mtn bikes, horses and hikers. We were passed by 5 motorcyclists and four bikers; there were no other hikers at all. The trail is in pretty good shape despite the motorcycles, although the tread is a bit soft in some areas. The soil is intermixed heavily with pumice, sand and ash from recent eruptions of Mt. St. Helens. The mountain can be glimpsed periodically through the thick woods that carpet the ridge. There were lots of plump huckleberries along the way to satisfy cravings. The trail goes up and down climbing gradually to the lake. There is a junction here, with the Boundary Trail heading off towards Craggy Peak, cross the Dark Divide and eventually to Council Bluff, near Mt. Adams. We chose a side trail to Badger Peak, which climbed steeply to 5664' and 360 degree views of the entire Dark Divide, Mt. St. Helens, Adams, Rainier, the Goat Rocks and distant Mt. Hood. The summit is a bit airy, so exercise caution on the pumice-covered trail to the top. Views do include the numerous clear-cuts and roads which scar the area. The demarcation between the Blast Zone and the surviving forest is also evident towards St. Helens and Windy Ridge. We were blessed with sunny conditions while eating our lunch, while the valleys below were socked in by the early incursions of a cold front. By the time we reached our cars, the clouds had ascended to the pass, blocking any long distant views. Forest Road 25 makes a great drive for anyone enjoying mountain roads as it winds through the area east of St. Helens. It takes about two hours to drive from Beaver Bay to the outlet at Randle, Hwy 12. Spring-fed Badger Lake is the only water available on the route. There were some blow-downs on the Boundary Trail, minor, but one tree blocks the trail to Badger Peak and involved some climbing to get over it. There were tons of huckleberries along the way. The occasional buzzing by flies and yellow jackets bothered some of the hikers, but most bugs are gone for the season.