Coldwater Lake loop with the family 10/19/2013

NW Hiker Field guide for this hiker

EG:1600' Distance: 12.2 miles

Before starting out at the Coldwater Ridge TH, we drive up to the Loowit viewpoint, so the family could get a good view of the crater and lava dome.

pano from Loowit viewpoint

Mt St Helens from Loowit viewpoint

After a short visit to the viewpoint, we drove down and parked at the Coldwater Lake TH.  Leaving the TH at 1040am, we walked along the shoulder of the HWY to the Coldwater Ridge TH.  It is about 1.5 miles between the two. 

the most unremarkable part of the hike

lots of caterpillars on the road

 The trail climbs steadily for a little over 3 miles going from about 2500' elevation to 4100' elevation on the ridge.  

The first part of the trail is in a forested area filled with Alder trees.  There was a variety of mushrooms popping out of the shrubbery.  

Just a few, of the many, mushrooms along the trail

lots of frogs out

gnarly wood

After about a mile and a half, the trees stop and the ridge is pretty exposed.  At around 3 miles, you will see a few spots where there is logging machinery leftover from before the eruption.  The area had been owned and logged on by Weyerhaeuser, but after the eruption, the land is now part of the Mt St Helens National Monument.

twisted metal

fire extinguisher still in place

some kind of air filter?

Cher peeking through

checking out the equipment

It was surreal to see this equipment.  Some of the metal was marred, but then there would be rubber hoses and parts of an air filter that held up pretty well during the blast and the weather of the last 30+ years.  

We decided to take a break near one of the tractors for lunch.  

Time for lunch

After a short break, we continued on the trail, heading up for a little further.  

lots of landslides on the west-side of the lake

Mt Minnie is getting closer

Mt St Helens peaking from behind Coldwater Ridge

The highpoint was at 4090' and at about trail mile 3.  We then started heading down.  We started entering an area with more trees and shrubbery.  There are a few streams that you pass by on the way down, eventually coming to the bridge over Coldwater Creek.

footprint of the elusive 3-toed Sasquatch

enjoying the creek view

We spent a few minutes enjoying the creek and then continued on.  The trail on the west side of the lake is rolling.  There are a few stream crossings, most of them had logs to crossover.  There are a few spots with huge downed trees.  The is plenty of room to walk under them.  

mom about to walk under the trees

finally on the other side of the lake

There is a large landslide area that is pretty rocky, but if you look closely, you can spot a trail.  There are also cairns to help.   We came across a few parties that were going to opposite direction on the trail.  I didnt ask if they were intending on doing the loop, or just going to the bridge.

the island is a hummock(or a piece of the mountain that was blasted off during the eruption)

the setting sun made for some beautiful colors

We made it back to the TH at 6pm.  This was the longest dayhike we have been on and boy were we feeling it!!  It is a beautiful area to explore.  There were a few spur trails leading to Coldwater Peak and to the Mt Margaret backcountry.  We were so fortunate to have a perfect day and be able to spend it with our family!

the perfect find on the hike...