The Hardy Boys: Secrets of the Exploding Mountain
Up at 5. On the
trail at 7:15. Loowit Falls (8 1/2 miles) by 11. Harry's Ridge (+ 7
1/2) by 3. Back to Johnston Ridge Observatory (+ 4) by 5. Burgerville in
Centralia by 7. Home by 9:30.
It was a long but glorious day. 20
miles for the Hiking Merit Badge for two guys, a good excuse to get out
of chores for the other 4 (one Eagle brother, two dads, and me).
The youngsters did fine. The adults renewed our appreciation for the
pharmaceutical
industry. (Actually, I feel surprisingly OK. I was worried that I would
have to cancel this week, but I have several body parts that don't
hurt.)
The morning fog kept us focused on hiking, rather than
gawking at the giant crater and taking dozens of pictures like typical
Mount St. Helens tourists. When it cleared we had spectacular views of
the crater, lava dome, huge elk, Spirit Lake, and Mount Adams.
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| From the Johnston Ridge Observatory theater, Friday afternoon |
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| From Johnston Ridge Observatory |
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| Getting ready to hike |
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| Starting point (JRO), Loowit Falls, and Harry's Ridge |
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| A closer look |
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| Cool guys |
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| Fork in the trail. We dropped down off the ridge into the valley |
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| The fog lifted to give us a nice view as we hiked down the ridge |
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| What are they pointing at? |
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| That. There were several more, but they were camera shy. |
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| View from the valley floor |
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| Drinking from the falls (not really) |
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| Loowit Falls coming out of the crater |
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| Lunch with a view |
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| Spirit Lake and Harry's Ridge, our next stop |
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| Spirit Lake and Mount Adams, from Harry's Ridge |
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| St. Helens from Harry's Ridge |
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| The view from Burgerville |
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