Fun Facts about Mt. St. Helens In 1947, a local logger discovered Ape Cave when his truck fell into a sinkhole that led to the lava tube cave. The first explorations were done by a Boy Scout troop in 1950, and they named the cave for their sponsor; a group of loggers and foresters called the St Helens Apes.

Harry Randall Truman (born in 1896) died in the 1980 Mt St Helens eruption when he famously and stubbornly refused to leave his beloved Mt St Helens Lodge on the shore of Spirit Lake. It’s presumed that his sixteen cats perished with him.

All other lodges and four campsites around Spirit Lake were also destroyed in the eruption, and 56 people other than Truman also perished.

Mt St Helens Summit can only be reached on foot. Although no technical skills are required, it is a rugged trek on steep and uneven trails often requiring scrambles over rough volcanic rocks. You need to be in good physical condition, prepared for mountain wilderness conditions, changeable weather (including snow before mid-summer) and in possession of a permit. It takes from six to twelve hours to hike in and back out again over a distance of almost ten miles. The trek is well worth the effort, as the scenery is beautiful and the panorama from the summit provides superb views of the 1980 blast area and crater, the cone, lava dome, and surrounding mountains and forest.

Spirit Lake

Spirit Lake

Once a crystal clear mountain lake popular with outdoor enthusiasts, Spirit Lake was devastated by the 1980 eruption. The debris from the landslide caused by the eruption increased the size of the lake almost two-fold and reduced its depth by the same amount. The surface was covered with thousands of tree trunks ripped out of the ground. Lava and volcanic gases eliminated all oxygen from the water, essentially killing the lake and all life within it. Scientists predicted the lake would never recover, but today it is on the road to recovery.

Ape Cave

Ape Cave

Ape Cave is located within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is a volcanic lava tube, unusual in the Cascades Mountain Range. It is the longest continuous lava tube in the continental United States, but there are longer ones in Hawaii. There is a Forest Service Interpretive Center near its entrance where you can rent lanterns and book guided walks during the summer months. Dress warmly, as the temperatures never go higher than 42 degrees Fahrenheit, wear sturdy non-slip shoes, and have at least two light sources per person.

Johnston Ridge Observatory

Johnston Ridge Observatory

This observatory and interpretive center is located at the end of State Highway 504 in the very heart of the blast zone. It contains a fascinating collection of information on the volcano, the 1980 eruption, and harrowing first-hand stories from survivors and eyewitnesses. This area provides the best views of the mountain that you will get without climbing it!

Must See Sights

Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounds Mt St Helens, and is a wonderful natural area with hiking, camping, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, and other outdoor activities. Lava Canyon is a beautiful canyon on Mt St Helens. After the 1980 eruption, a suspension bridge was built precipitously over the canyon and the spectacular falls below. It leads to a hiking trail over the area devastated by the eruption.

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