Aug 5 - Harry's Ridge (Mt St Helens)

There's rain in the forecast for Friday so I decide to punt on my planned Tolmie Peak hike (flowers and a NW view of Rainier) and head to Mt St Helens (my original hike for Friday).

It's a 2.5 hr drive from where I'm staying. I leave after 7am to make my way there.

Skies are definitely not sunny today; it's just clouds with peeks of sun.

I arrive sometime after 9:30 - later than I like to start hiking but it's 64 degrees with hazy skies and a wind so it's a go.

The Johnson Observatory is closed - darn Covid. 

But I get a map from a Ranger and start my hike on the short Eruption trail near the Observatory. 

From there I connect with the Boundary Trail which will lead me to Harry's Ridge.

I don't get far when I hear a deep "Drum, Drum" sound. I look to my left and there's a Grouse and I think he's looking for a little love. :) I watch him puff-up and drum. Very cool!

Pretty barren country but what should I expect it was in the blast-zone. But there are flowers in patches; mostly lupine, yarrow, paintbrush.

In some areas, there's a lot of brush and in one of those sections, I spot Woodland Skipper!

Along the trail, Mt St Helens is pretty much also visible the whole hike which is awesome!

The trail is up and down repeatedly. Not bad on the way out but I'm sure it will be tiring on the way back (with all the up-n-down, its 1700 ft of elevation).

Many chipmunks on the trail.

Trail is easy to follow until it goes down to a spur for Devil's Point.

Fortunately, I have 2 people pass me and show me the way. I get to "a bottom" and it's time to climb again.

On the other side, it gets flowery -- it's amazing! 

I cross a bridge so not much farther to go to the ridge!!

And I see much 2nd butterfly of the day! (Mariposa Copper)

I finally reach the Ridge (the start of Harry's Ridge) and Spirit Lake is below. 

Yep, there's lots of logs on the lake placed there during the eruption in 1980.

I think about stopping for a break but there's another 3/4 of a mile to the top and up I go.

I got Spirit Lake to my left, a cloudy view of Mt Baker too 

and I'm seeing butterflies on this windy ridge!!

Mariposa Copper, an Anna's Blue 

and beautifully bright Purplish Coppers.

I'm expecting people up here as I saw many heading out this way but the ridge but it's terminus is empty.

Not sure where they all went but it's all mine!!!

I stay only briefly because that winds are chilly.

Time to head back.

Nothing different or unusual on the return except clouds are forming over Mt St Helens.

Finally reach my car around 1:40pm. I'm very tired and sweaty.

I head for Coldwater Lake picnic area for a bite.

After, I take a short walk to Coldwater Lake. This lake was created from the eruption.

Time to head to my hotel in Kelso.

Great day!

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