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| Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington |
| Visit A Volcano |
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| Planning Your Visit |
| Where to Start |
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A good place to begin your visit is at one of the Monument's visitor centers or information stations.
Interpretive staff are available to answer your questions
and help you plan your visit. Ask about the daily schedule of interpretive
walks, talks and theater presentations that share the geologic, biologic, and
cultural history of the area.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Seasons |
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Most viewpoints on the Monument's north, east, and south sides can be reached
from Memorial Day until snow closes the roads, usually in late October. Trails
are generally open from June through October, although some lower elevation
trails can be hiked all year.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Services and Accomodations |
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During the summer months, food service is available at the Coldwater Ridge
Visitor Center on State Highway 504 and at Cascade Peaks Viewpoint on
Forest Road 99. There are no overnight accommodations within the National
Volcanic Monument. However, lodging, meals, gifts, supplies and services are
available in many communities around the mountain. For more information,
contact local Chambers of Commerce, tourist information centers and
individual businesses.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Visitor and Information Centers |
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The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Visitor Center at Silver Lake
-- located at mile post 5 on highway 504. This visitor center shows the eruption on May 18, 1980, and talks about volcanoes in general.
The Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center
Coldwater Lake Recreation Area
Johnston Ridge Visitor Center was opened in May, 1997.
Windy Ridge Viewpoint and Amphitheater
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Driving Times from Seattle and Portland |
| FROM: | TO: | DRIVING TIME IN HOURS: |
| Seattle, Washington |
Ape Cave | 3:30 |
| Cougar, Washington | 3:15 | |
| Climber's Bivouac | 3:45 | |
| Lava Canyon | 3:45 | |
| Randle, Washington | 2:30 | |
| Windy Ridge | 3:45 | |
| USFS Visitor Centers | ||
| Mount St. Helens Visitor Center (Silver Lake) | 2:00 | |
| Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center | 3:00 | |
| Johnston Ridge Observatory | 3:15 | |
| Pine Creek Information Center | 3:45 | |
| FROM: | TO: | DRIVING TIME IN HOURS: |
| Portland, Oregon |
Ape Cave | 1:30 |
| Cougar, Washington | 1:15 | |
| Climber's Bivouac | 1:45 | |
| Lava Canyon | 1:45 | |
| Randle, Washington | 2:30 | |
| Windy Ridge | 3:00 | |
| USFS Visitor Centers | ||
| Mount St. Helens Visitor Center (Silver Lake) | 1:15 | |
| Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center | 2:15 | |
| Johnston Ridge Observatory | 2:30 | |
| Pine Creek Information Center | 1:45 | |
| Fees and Passes |
Link to: USFS National Monument Website
| Hiking |
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All hikers are responsible for their own safety. BE PREPARED.
All hikers SHOULD:
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Trails in the Restricted Area |
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A restricted area has been established in the heart of the National Volcanic
Monument to protect opportunities for scientific research and allow for the
recovery of plant and animal life. The following rules apply in the restricted
area:
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Camping |
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Dispersed camping is permitted outside of the Restricted Area of the National
Volcanic Monument. Private, State and National Forest campgrounds can be found
near the Monument boundary. Open fires are not permitted in the blowndown forest
of the Monument (gas camp stoves only). When fire danger is high, trails and
access in some areas may be closed.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Climbing Mount St. Helens |
| All climbing opportunities at Mount St. Helens are on the south slopes of the volcano. |
| Access to Mount St. Helen's Crater |
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All climbing opportunities at Mount St. Helens are on the south slopes of the
volcano.
Entry into the crater is strictly prohibited.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Traveling With Pets ??? |
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Pets are prohibited at many Monument sites and trails, especially in some of the
most sensitive landscapes. Along State Highway 504, pets are restricted to the
pet areas at the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center, Coldwater Lake Recreation Area,
and Johnston Ridge Observatory, and must be leashed when using these sites.
There are also areas in the Monument where you can hike and camp with your pet.
Contact the Monument Headquarters or visitor centers for more information.
-- For More Information link to: USFS National Monument Website |
| Points of Interest and Places to Visit |
Interactive Imagemap
Text Menu
| Additional Travel and Tourism Information |
Link to: USFS National Monument Website
| For More Volcano Information |
Mount St. Helens "Visit A Volcano"
Mount St. Helens Menu
| The majority of the above "Planning Your Visit" information courtesy U.S. Forest Service, Volcano Review: A Visitor's Guide to Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument; and Gifford Pinchot National Forest's Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Website; Please check out their website for more and current Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument information. |
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