Mount Saint Helens is one of the Pacific Northwest’s most-powerful and most-memorable landscapes. On this full day tour, you’ll visit both the forested southern slopes of the volcano and the barren landscapes of the blast zone.
As you drive along Spirit Lake Highway, stop at breathtaking overlooks, take a peaceful walk along the scenic Hummocks Trail, and pause to reflect alongside the cool blue waters of Coldwater Lake. And a visit at the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center offers the opportunity to dive into the history and culture of this ever-changing landscape and enjoy a showing of a 20 minute film sharing the story of destruction and rebirth after that fateful day.
The entire day is centered around discovering how the local ecosystems are reemerging and evolving after the famed 1980 eruption. Witness incredible stories of survival and experience the resilience of nature demonstrated by this rebounding environment! This isn’t just another driving tour of a beautiful landscape—we prefer to keep travelers outside the vehicle for walks and exploration to experience our places firsthand.
If you’re staying in downtown Portland, we’ll pick you up! We’ll call the day prior to your trip to confirm exact timing. We’re bringing breakfast snack, local coffee and tea. We’ll also bring a fresh, local, family-style lunch! Snacks, sparkling water and water are included all day.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
8:30A: Downtown Pickups
9:30A: Travel the Spirit Lake Highway
As you approach the unique volcanic landscapes of the National Volcanic Monument. We’ll likely stop to press coffee, make tea, and have a light morning snack somewhere along our journey.
10:30A: Walking
Stop to stretch your legs along the Hummocks Trail or at Coldwater Lake
12:30P: Lunch
After lunch and a restroom break, travel up the Spirit Lake Highway! Likely activities include a variety of viewpoints, walks, and local highlights – culminating in a trip to the Johnston Ridge Observatory (the nearest that one can travel by road to the volcano’s crater).
2:00P: Walking
Take another stroll – likely candidates include the Eruption Trail from Johnston Ridge or the Hummocks Trail from lower on the mountain.
3:00P: Observatory
Arrive and explore the Johnston Ridge Observatory
5:30P: Arrive Back in Portland
Approximate arrival back in downtown Portland.
