Coldwater Peak Mt St Helens Nat'l Monument 5 Sept 2014

Friday's weather had red flag fire warnings for the east side of the Central Oregon's mountains, this included hot dry air and high ridge winds.  Looking at the map, I discovered that Mt St Helens would be windy and hot, but not as windy as where I had originally wanted to go.  Coldwater Peak is a 13 ish mile hike up onto the peak that took the brunt of the blast when Mt St Helens erupted in 1980.  It follows the boundary trail past Harry's Ridge then behind some hills, up then down, and around - then up up up a relentless 0.6 miles of decent switchbacks.  I had to tuck into some rocks so I wasn't blown off the top.  It was quite windy up there too.  Most of the hike the wind was welcome for cooling off.  Not too many folks out hiking.  I didn't see wildlife except for birds and a million grasshoppers.  I did smell the animals though.  The side of Coldwater Peak was covered in ripe huckleberries.  I was hoping the rangers did not do a hand check because mine were stained purple.

Hoffstadt Creek Bridge entering the Blast Zone

Mt St Helens in the morning light

Pano of Adams, Hood and Helens with Spirit lake

Lunch view

Lake St Helens

The wind was pushing the logs to the opposite side

Spirit Lake

the peak I was on is at the top of the pole

Visitor's center

parting shot