09242011 Mount St Helens Day Trip

I know this is long but please read so you don't ask me BOBO questions in which the answers are already below.


This is in response to the many questions I get early this week. I had planned this way back in end of August. I have been to Mount St Helens but this time it is of a different trail which I have not been. The previous trip time management was way off because we (me and Chun Fai) did not have the correct distance thanks to a lousy map and unfortunately I was not the organizer. I had previously planned the Silver Falls State Park hike and Multnomah Falls hike which both were on schedule or you can ask the witnesses. I have always used the standard of walking/hiking 1 mile in 30 minutes. This has proved to be spot on  in the two trips above. 


The blue line is the trail we going to hike. This is an easy hike compared to my 1st.
The red line was the trail I hiked in my first trip which took me 13 hours to complete.

Why this date? It's a FREE Day at Johnston Ridge Observatory which normally cost $8 per person entry. I had split to two groups: one that prefers to experience the real thing (or I should rather put it, enjoying the last remnants of good sunshine) and the other that wants to do the drive-stop-picture group. The plan only differs in the morning and we will meet up at the observatory at noon.


Weather is extremely good for such time at this month. This is because the east coast has a lot of moist hence the dry winds are all heading towards the west for this entire week. Hopefully we can see the caldera which I missed in my first hiking trip there due to cloudiness.

The REAL thing: Hummocks to Johnston Ridge Observatory Trail

Strenuous 5 mile hike. Elevation Gain: 1700ft
Trailhead: Hummocks trailhead (meaning up n down small hills). Then climb up the ridge, the views of the mountain, river valleys are impressive. Also has elks to see up close. The last time I went I can see more than 10 of them in one place grazing at the fields from the binoculars @ Forest Learning Centre because I was hiking a different trail not this.

0530: Leave Hillsboro
0700: Bfast at BK @ Castle Rock if you want
0740: Start Hike @ Trailhead (2km/hr pace)
1200: Reach observatory with 2nd group

***Trust me, with this pace we will probably reach before 12. But I am factoring in the time we rest, talk, taking pictures and enjoy the scenery. The strenuous came about because it involved an elevation gain of 1700ft but we do it across 5 miles so with our pace it is not going to be tiring. But please make sure you have enough sleep la the night before.


Drive-stop-picture: Centre’s and Viewpoints
0700: Leave Hillsboro
0830: Bfast at BK @ Castle Rock if you want.
0900: Mount St. Helens Visitor Centre $5 but you can enter gift shop for free and ask questions on counter, look a live cam for weather conditions of the mount before you head up.
0945: Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Centre FREE and has helicopter ride (price unknown) if you want to go.
1000: 3 viewpoints to stop by Elk Rock, Castle Lake and Loowit (see signboards)
1045: Forest Learning Center FREE opens from 1000-1600
1200: Johnston Ridge Observatory opens from 1000-1800
1300: Head to Ape Cave for both groups. This 2nd group of people need to help REAL group take back car down the hill.
***All these viewpoints and visitor centers are along the road up to the observatory so use your eyes and spot them, there is no need for me to show u where it is on the map nor will you need to use a GPS device unless you don't even know how to use ya eyes and see. 


From here on both groups meet each other!! As for lunch we can do a quick and easy buy at SubWay @ Castle Rock or stay and eat somewhere else there for just half an HOUR only.


Ape Cave
1445: Reach Ape Cave HQ. $5 per car for site pass. We can’t do Upper cave it is tough, done it before, can be dangerous for non-experience group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayF3GumebuY&feature=related (lower cave, like walking only)

1500: Lower cave is ¾ mile long and an hour to complete the round trip. Even kids can do this so shouldn’t be a problem for any of us unless you are afraid of the dark LOL.
1615: Head to Lava Canyon. Some can go back if too tired, but I doubt la walk a bit nia.

Lava Canyon
http://www.portlandhikersfieldguide.org/wiki/Lava_Canyon_Loop_Hike
Distance 6miles round trip. Easy first 0.4miles, Moderate next 0.4miles and Strenuous last 0.6miles.
BUT we will do 1.1 miles round trip (up until the suspension bridge point) because the latter trail is dirt and basalt with unprotected drop-offs. Not safe for the faint-hearted.


1700: Arrive on trailhead (sun will set at 7.34pm so we can still see many geological features)
1900: Back to Hillsboro (possibly dinner on the way if you all want)
2100: Reach Hillsboro (either sleep or poker or some other extra-curricular activity)


Essentials things to bring (the usual camera...etc you figure it out yourself):
1. Some source of light, torchlight, headlight for the cave.
2. Jacket because inside the cave it is extremely cold.
3. Power bars if you want to snack in between.


PLEASE response by Thursday if you have not so I can finalize the groups, find the leader for 1st group and 2nd group and subsequently coordinate with them especially the meeting up place at Johnston Ridge Observatory. Here are some more pictures of my previous trip: https://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.gim.chuan.choong/20110813_MountStHelens