OT: Mt. St. Helens Weekend trip recommendations

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Looking for any recommendations on where to take the camper for an overnight to explore the volcano next weekend. Will have wife and boys 8 & 10. Looks like there's a camp ground at Cougar that is close and on the way. I have no idea how crowded it gets but figured I probably need to make reservations soon if it's not too late. Any good free/rough camp spots?

Thanks in advance.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Take the road towards Lahar viewpoint camp anywhere along the road including Climbers bivouac, June lake for free. The road too Climbers Biv is long and steep and will heat your brakes to failure on the way down if you are not careful. The campgrounds near Cougar are packed right now during the weekends, you might be able to get a spot during the week. Check online for reservations

Good hikes include Ape Canyon trail, Lahar trail their is a parking lot right in between these two that you can camp at. The blocked road in between these trail heads is now a trail that goes down to the end of the Lahr trail and you can take the Lahar trail back up and make a loop out of it. Keep in mind that the Lahar trail has a big ladder you would have to carry a dog over and a suspension bridge. These are awesome mountain bike trails.

Jonpnw · Mon Jul 15, 13 8:37 am **Yale -**

Do you have a canoe or kayak? Park at the Yale Dam campground and paddle across and up the Siouxson. There are some sweet free camp sites along the creek. It used to be free parking, might need a discovery pass now?

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

You are only allowed to camp at desginated spots along the lake now, and you have to reserve and pay, because of to many drunken assholes in the past.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

As I should have expected the campgrounds are packed solid so thanks for your tips Quenyaistar!

Would you recommend trying to make the drive around to Windy Ridge? Johnson Ridge Observatory does not look easy to get to from the south.

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

I would mountain bike to windy ridge via ape canyon trail. I think it is 60 miles to drive to windy ridge one way. If I remember right it is about a 10 mile bike ride one way to get to windy ridge via the ape canyon trail, the scenery is epic and you get to ride down the spine of windy ridge on a narrow trail, and the descent from the Plains of Abraham to the ape canyon trail head is one of the best. Not a begginer trail, but not advanced either if you are careful and take your time. Just hike or ride ape canyon to the Plains, 10 mile round trip totally worth it, go to the far side of the plains and look at windy ridge from on high....

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

The north side hiking is moonlike and super cool - the kids will dig it

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

sirmichaelo · Since 26 Mar 2010 353 Posts Maui Obsessed

Park where it's not brown, yellow, or red.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Hmmm, sounds like the trails on the south side are awesome, but the classic volcano experience is on the north side.

Will I find a place to park the camper on the north side? Or should I day trip it?

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

Lahar viewpoint and Ape Canyon are on the east side of St Helens.

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

Wind Slither · Since 04 Mar 2005 2622 Posts The 503 METAL

OK, while everybody was out kiting their arses off this weekend, I was making a supreme sacrifice to the Wind and Wife-Birthday Gods. Had a great weekend, here's some notes for others looking for the Johnston Ridge volcano experience:

-left PDX at 8AM, dropped the camper off at Kid Valley campground at mile 18.5
-Consider stocking up in Castle Rock where you exit off the I-5, after that there's just a couple gas station marts and nothing after Mile 19.
-Spotty Verizon coverage after Castle Rock...nothing at the camp ground or at the observatory.
-Driving up under marine layer, at 3000ft we emerge to jaw dropping views of the volcano. Noble firs create a 3D blur amplifying the effect.
-Get to parking lot, prep and pack for the pic nic and hike cause it's a hike up to the observatory.
-There's a $8/adult fee to check out the observatory and hike the trail. Observatory exhibits are awesome, but the place is a bee hive of foreign tourists.
-A short way into the hike there was a place to eat our lunch
-Trails go out a ways, but for our party, ~2.5 miles in to a high point directly in front of the crater was perfect. For another 2 miles you get to the ridge above Spirit Lake. Trail is like-the-moon awesome with epic views and wild flowers everywhere.
-Return to observatory, timing was off for the movie. Headed down to Coldwater Lake. Southern shore line we lost our sun by 6. But water was clear and warm for splashing around. Highly regulated.
-Back to campground and near by restaurant at Mile 19....great food and service. Nearby gas station mart closed before 7:30 but the restaurant tightend us up with some ice.

Next day we explored the area around the campground. There are some pull offs by the river that would seem to support free/rough camping. The "buried A-frame" and giant Big Foot statue is worth a stop and there is a river beach on the Toutle just across the highway and a little west.

Can't wait to check out the rest of the mountain! Thumb's Up