Closure ‘no reason’ not to visit Mount St. Helens on ‘erupt-iversary’

Saturday, May 18 marks the 44th anniversary of the eruption of Mount St. Helens.
For the second year, visitors to Mount St. Helens won’t be able to drive to the closest observation center due to a road closure caused by a landslide in May of 2023.
Mount St. Helens Institute volunteer Allen Bennett, who considers May 18, the "erupt-iversary," said the closure is no reason to skip a trip to the volcano.
”There’s miles and miles and miles of trails if you are so inclined to hike,” said Bennett, minutes before heading out on a 5-mile trek to the Johnston observatory, which is still accessible by trail.
He said there are more mountain goats than people there these days.
Read more: www.king5.com/...

[@bw-leftturnracing7779]

I went to the Coldwater Ridge Learning Center today, it was a fantastic experience even though I couldn't see the volcano.

[@rosea9737]

Johnston Ridge Observatory is the best vantage point, although its closed, it looks like you can hike to Loowit Point from Coldwater Ridge.

[@bw-leftturnracing7779]

@@rosea9737 I couldn't see the volcano because it was cloudy, not because of the vantage point :)

[@LoganJohnson-lm2bh]

As a teen i used to go caving around the mountain thru the lava tubes and i was camping the weekend before she blew and taking pictures of it blowing smoke and ash .

[@Mrbfgray]

Dad a geologist flew over it about 2 weeks before it blew, was splitting severely, then returned a couple weeks after for another flyover. Brother helped install GPS monuments inside crater on extruding part mid 2000's.

[@LoganJohnson-lm2bh]

@@Mrbfgray That's way cool that took some real gut's I have been looking for the photo's i took that weekend if i can find them i'm having copy's made to donate to people like him .

[@Mrbfgray]

@@LoganJohnson-lm2bh Never seen but in the distance myself. Gotta change that one day. Think I/we F'ed up processing dad's estate and lost ton of slides inc. those. Big regret for me.

[@LoganJohnson-lm2bh]

@@Mrbfgray I'm in Tacoma

[@rosea9737]

The Ape Caves, i know them well. ;) a nice place to go when the weather is warm, I still remember the breeze and the smell of the rocks.

[@alwaysright8157]

While the JRO is closed. PUT A FOOD COURT IN IT!!! There is absolutely nothing to eat there. Not even a vending machine with snacks. And, it's an hour drive back to the nearest place to get something to eat. At least a sign, back in town, saying "no food at the Ridge, eat before you come".

[@Mrbfgray]

Only *your government working for YOU* could take 3 yrs to do a 3 week project.

[@Gears906]

Even the beaver family moved🤔

[@ZoltanSzaszBenedek]

Fix 3 years, call some Japanese they fix issues like that in days. Lol 😆 🤣 😂 what a f joke !

[@Mrbfgray]

Milk a 3 week job into 3 yrs, that's our government *working for US!*

[@ZoltanSzaszBenedek]

Walking good for legs... 😂😂😂 helps with obesity epidemic ! 😂

[@jdspencer60]

Won't shed a tear for them if something happens.