Mt. St. Helens: Weekend Camping Adventure

July 28-30, 2018

It was a last minute decision and one we are all so glad we made.  Mt. St. Helens did not disappoint.  In fact, it exceeded our expectations.  We loaded the truck and camper on Saturday morning and hit the road.  Thankfully, Mt. St. Helens is only about an hour and a half away.  Depending on your perspective, so close, yet so far.

To stretch out our legs following our morning commute, we ventured out on The Hummocks Trail, a 2.5 mile loop hike with epic mountain views and some shade to provide relief from the scorching heat.

Hot and sweaty, we were ready to fin our camp site and enjoy an afternoon siesta.  Our reservation at Eco Park Resort, was a welcome retreat.  We found it to be a peaceful, spacious and unique camp ground.  

For convenience, we chose to dine at The Backwoods Cafe for dinner the first night and breakfast on our last morning. It offered an up-close view of the hummingbirds feeding and a lovely view of the pastures and forest property in the distance.

While the property boasted 12 miles of trails, we chose a short 1.5 mile mountain bike/hike adventure to see the devastation from the mud flow following the eruption.  

Attempt #1:  4pm after a day of driving, hiking, site seeing, an abbreviated siesta, and setting up camp in 90 degree heat.  All four of us entered the trail on bikes.  4:30pm All four of us unanimously decide to turn around and walk our bikes.  4:45pm All four of us exit the trail carrying bikes over fallen trees, around roots and up hill, hot, hungry and exhausted!  

Attempt #2:  9am the next morning.  Two of us entered the trail on bikes, while the other two run along behind.  9:25am we arrive at the mud flow far less hot and hungry than the previous day.  After a quick snack, we ventured out onto the desolate shores and wading into the stream, which we shared with several schools of tiny fish and newly spawned tiny toads.  

The Mt. St. Helens Forest Learning Center and Johnson Ridge Observatory were both fabulous for the whole family.  They both provided great visual displays and hands-on exploration to educate us about not just the 1980 eruption, but also about the mountain and it's natural surroundings and wildlife.

Mt. St. Helens Weekend Camping Adventure for the win!