A 7 mile roundtrip hike from the 4000 ft elevation to 5300 ft on the North flank of Mt. St. Helens. Weather was gorgeous with sunshine and clear skies. We had some light breeze to help us keep cool on the way up. The temperature by afternoon was around 75 degrees at Crater View.
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Start of the trail head.
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On the Northeast side of the flank
At trailhead
Spirit Lake to the North behind me as I make my way up to Crater View.
Willow Spring. Fresh, clean water from snowmelt that have percolated into the sandy, volcanic soils.
Almost there.
Made it. In view of the crater. Glacier can be seen to the right of Lava Dome behind me.
Lava Dome with glacier seen on the right side.
Big rock! Easy to lift.
At Crater View after a long hike with Mt. Rainier to the South.