A Landslide Closed Johnston Ridge Observatory. Here's Where to Hike Mount St. Helens This Summer
On May 14, a landslide South Coldwater Slide, caused significant damage to the road leading up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory northwest of Mount St. Helens. Several popular trailheads will be closed for the season, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy this area this summer.
On May 14, a landslide, named the South Coldwater Slide, caused significant damage to the upper portion of SR 504, the road leading up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory on the north side of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The popular interpretive site, as well as several trailheads will be closed for the season. Early season warm weather was a factor in the slide.
But there are still plenty of trails hikers can take to enjoy Mount St. Helens this season.
Shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, May 14, debris slid 2,000 feet, burying SR 504 beneath rock, mud, ice, and water and causing major damage to the Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge. The landslide cut off visitors from the Johnston Ridge Observatory. May 15 photo by WSDOT.
Trail closure details
In addition to the observatory, the two closed trailheads are the Hummocks Trailhead parking lot and the South Coldwater Trailhead parking lot.
The closed trails are:
- Hummocks Trail #229 (from Hummocks Trailhead to junction with Boundary Trail #1)
- Boundary Trail #1 (from the junction with the Hummocks Trail #229 to the Hummocks Trailhead)
- Lakes Trail #211 (from the trailhead to junction with Coldwater Trail #230)
- South Coldwater Trail #230A (from the trailhead to junction with Coldwater Trail #230)
Other popular trails that start out of the Johnston Observatory area, like Johnston's Ridge Eruption Trail, Harry's Ridge and Coldwater Peak, are largely inaccessible, but are not officially closed.
A portion of the official closure map. See the full South Coldwater Slide closure and vicinity map from USFS.
Where and how to enjoy Mount St. Helen's
While the popular northwest access point (and some of the best views of the eruption blast) may be inaccessible this summer, hikers can approach and hike Mount St. Helens from all sides.
Hiking:
As winter snow melts, sites located on the Monument’s south and east sides will be fully accessible.
Forest Road 99, still closed, typically opens mid-June to early July depending on how long it takes the snow to melt and leads to everything from the short and sweet Meta Lake to the more challenging Plains of Abraham - Windy Pass Loop.
South side trips off of Forest Road 81, like a mid-summer hike or backpacking trip up to Butte Camp provides a less dramatic backside view to the monument, but plenty of interesting volcanic geology.
Use the Hike Finder Map to help visualize alternative approaches to the iconic mountain. (Most of the hikes featured in this hiking guide will remain accessible this season.) As with all hikes, it's a great idea to check recent trip reports and land manager condition alerts before setting out for a big adventure.
Education:
The Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake is open year round, and has interpretive displays around local history, geology and the dynamic forest growing back in the decades since the eruption. (WA State Parks. Open year-round; hours vary by season.)
And our friends at Mount St. Helens Institute are still running all of their education, adventure and stewardship programing.
Read more
- Learn more about the South Coldwater Slide, see additional photos and read the timeline for repair. You can also learn the debris flow and other frequently asked questions.
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