Mt St Helens snowshoe 2/22/2014

6 miles  780' EG

Today we headed up to do some snowshoeing on Mt St Helens. 
We parked at Marble Mountain Sno-Park with plans of going to June Lake.

When we go to the Sno-park, there were a lot of snow-mobilers already there.  Surprisingly, we found a parking spot right in front of the TH.

getting started

 We started up the trail.  The trail was in great condition.  After a little while along the trail, we came to an opening in the trees to a nice snowfield.

 Continuing up the trail, we realized that it was just going to keep climbing.  It was a nice slope.  We came to a steeper section of trail.  The picture below doesn't do it justice.

a nice "little" hill 

At the top of the hill, we came to a group of four that seemed to be having some issues.  We noticed that a few of them had been post-holing (they did have snowshoes but were not using them for some reason).  We passed them by and eventually they caught up and passed us.  And then we came upon them again.  One of the girls had post-holed and her entire leg was swallowed up in the hole.  Cher saw her toss her poles into the bush in some sort of tantrum(at least that's what she looked like she was having).  As we passed them again, Cher asked " Dont you have snowshoes?" and the reply was "yeah, but we thought it would be easier to not use them".  After we got further away we couldnt help but laugh.  And at the same time, we were slightly annoyed ant the holes in the trail they made that we had to navigate around.

My little snowbunny

We passed a few people on the way up that had mentioned that the trail to the lake was pretty difficult due to the snow conditions, so we opted to just go up 244 and try to make it to the Loowit trail junction. 
About 1/4 mile from the Loowit trail, the hill got steeper and the snow got deeper, so we decided to turn around.

beautiful snowy trees and trail

Us at our turn around point

representing "Team Sparks"

We headed back to the lake trail junction and found a spot for lunch.  After starting to rehydrate our beans and ham and making up some hot cocoa, we noticed the little camp robbers (grey jays) had started to congregate nearby.

Cher enjoying some cocoa

hanging out and waiting

Jen enjoying her cocoa with a little something extra

come a little closer

"can I have some beans and ham?"

all warmed up

We spent about 40 minutes enjoying the birds and lunch.  Eventually the post-hole gang came down the lake trail with reports that the hill was impassible.  We wished them a good afternoon (they all had their snowshoes on at this point).

After a warm-up and re-energizing, we decided to get headed back to the car.
As we were heading down the trail, it started snowing.  We stopped to watch the flakes and noticed that the flakes were perfectly formed little shapes...like one would only see under a microscope(at lease thats what our impression was). 

perfect flakes

fun on the trail

peek-a-boo

We got back to the car at about 1 and got on the road. 
Our post-hike meal was burgers at Five guys Burger and Fries.  Their burgers never disappoint.

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...