Hiking: Harry’s Ridge

There is absolutely no shade on this trail. But the view is worth the ordeal!

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We arrived at the Johnston Ridge Observatory as the clock ticked one and dutifully bought the wristbands.

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The observatory and its viewing platforms were flooded with tourists on this beautiful Sunday.

There’s only one way to get on the trails, and it did not say Harry’s Ridge.

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We had our doubts but kept on walking…

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fixing our eyes on the big volcano to our right for any signs of smoking.

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After a while, small pockets of greeneries appeared in the otherwise arid volcanic landscape.

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Together with blankets of wildflowers

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They painted the landscape a multi-colored canvas

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against the backdrop of the snow-dusted crater.

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They were mostly Indian Paintbrush

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and Penstemon

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We even caught a glimpse of a lake far out in the distance.

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Soon the trail veers to the left, bypassing the steep and nerve-wracking Devils Elbow traverse.

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Finally we saw a sign for Harry’s Ridge for the first time!

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Followed by another with 1 3/4 miles to go.

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Thereon, the trail leads downhill then up overlooking a “green” valley

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before reaching a junction – Harry’s Viewpoint is on the right, but not without a 20% degree climb.

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Surely it was hard work, but this view, of Spirit Lake and Mt. Adams, took our breath away.

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Here we stopped for lunch soaking up the view with avalanche lilies by our side

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before proceeding to the top of Harry’s ridge

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where both the peak of Mt. Adams and what’s left of Mount St. Helens can be seen simultaneously

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My friend stopped here while I kept walking towards the end of the ridge

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getting a closer look at the 1980-1986 lava dome.

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Over the course of six years, the mountain erupted lobes of lava 17 times, building a dome 87 stories high.

Spotting a herd of elks lounging near the Troutle River with the help of the binoculars of a fellow hiker.

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All in all, it took us 4.5 hours – with lunch and a lot of photo stops – for the 8.2 mile hike that was relatively flat.

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The only challenge came from the sweltering afternoon heat, made worse when an earlier breeze faded away.

We returned to the Johnston Ridge Observatory just in time to catch the last movie of the day documenting the 1980 eruption and its devastating impact. When the curtain lifted up, this view revealed.

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Harry’s Ridge trail is a feast both for the eyes and for the mind, as long as you wear sufficient sunscreen and bring plenty of water.

Note: On March 20, 1980, Mount St. Helens awoke after 123 years. Magma (molten rock) rose to the surface, fracturing rocks and producing earthquakes. The volcano’s summit diverted rising magma sideways, pushing the north face dramatically outwards. The thick, pasty magma contained dissolved water and gases under immense pressure. At 8:32AM, on May 18th, 1980, the bulging north face of Mount St. Helens collapsed. With the pressure removed, groundwater flashed to steam and magma gases expanded almost instantly, unleashing a hurricane force blast that shot across the landscape, removing toppling and scorching 230 square miles of forest in three minutes. Johnston Ridge Observatory was built right in the heart of the blast zone. 

39 thoughts on “Hiking: Harry’s Ridge”

  12. Everyday i go for a run, i get to see this mountain. Love the pics and the read! It is awe inspiring to think of the magnitude of the blast that took the top of that mountain off.

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  15. This looks like such a scenic hike – I especially love all the wildflowers along the path. I’ll be adding this to my list of places to visit when I next cross the pond!

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  17. Torture. We haven’t gotten out of the city since we got back from the Azores. We loved it there but most our tours were jeep. We learned May is a better month to hike (so humid). We’re aching for a hike and thanks for taking us one one 🙂 Great pics! How’s your summer?

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    1. Hi Andrea, My summer’s great until we were surrounded by smoke coming from BC, Eastern Washington and Oregon 😦 I was in Copenhagen and the Faroe Islands for two weeks. Kinda wished that I had extended my trip. Oh well, have to be back and earn some living lol. Hope you are doing great!

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  21. Pingback: Jo’s Monday walk : Osmotherley and beyond | restlessjo

  22. Wow those views are incredible, and what a great walk too. So glad you persevered despite the heat and lack of signs.

    The Mount Helena eruption is one that I’ve always remembered. We were not in the USA at the time but had been a few months earlier. And for a 7 year old those few months seemed like we only just missed it!!

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