Harry's Ridge

Harry's Ridge

 

Area: Mount Saint Helens

Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1000 Feet
Facilities: Bathrooms at Johnston Ridge Observatory

Helpful Hint: check the Mount Saint Helens VolcanoCam before leaving for this hike to make sure the mountains not hidden by clouds.

If you’re interested in a moderately challenging hike, with a lot of incredible views of Mt. St. Helens, may we recommend this hike up to Harry’s Ridge?  It’s about 8 miles total and when you hit the top of the ridge, you’ll feel inspired and pretty much like a superhero.

To find this hike take I-5 N to Castle Rock Exit 49 and take a right on Hwy 504 to its end at Johnston Ridge Observatory.

First of all, know that when you go to Mt. St. Helens, you must pay to hike around there.  Go to the visitors center, use the bathroom, and pay your $8.  If you have a Northwest Forest Pass, that will get you one free wristband.  And, it’s not like there’s going to be anyone on the trail asking to see your pass, but hey, you know never know. 

Anyway, there are signs everywhere stating that this is a pretty dangerous hike.  These signs aren’t lying.  The ridges are fairly narrow, and if you aren’t a very experienced hiker, maybe you want to take the easier hike to Johnston Ridge.  The hike up to Harry’s Ridge is tough, though the elevation gain is only about 1000 feet. There are quite a few flat spots on the hike, but like I said, the ridges can get pretty narrow, and if you’re afraid of hikes, perhaps you can just not look down?

 

 

You can start at the trail leading from the far end of the parking lot at Johnston Ridge Observatory if you want to avoid the crowds. Or, from the observatory head uphill on the Eruption trail until you get to the junction with Boundary Trail. Stay right here.  You'll follow the trail parallel to the mountain for a ways before heading out on a narrow ridge taking you to a great viewpoint of the collapsed side of Mount Saint Helens at the 1.9 mile mark. You can usually see steam rising from the crater at this angle.

 

 

 

Continue on, passing the junction with Truman Trail and crossing a footbridge along the way.  To your right you can see Harry's Ridge. When you get to your next junction turn right and begin the hardest part of the hike up the ridge.  The beauty of this hike, and there is a lot of it, is just looking at the scenery, and figuring out where exactly the volcano took out trees and what is left now.  At the top of Harry’s Ridge, you have a perfect view of Spirit Lake, and the raft of logs that cover the top of the lake is both impressive and troubling.  All these trees were taken out in the eruption.

 

As you get to the top, you’ll know you're there because of the old scientific equipment that’s up there and was left after the eruption. You’ll also be able to look to your left and your right and see sky, mountains, and landscape, as far as the eye can see.  The walk back is just as beautiful, and if you look down, you’ll see a bunch of wild strawberries growing.  Don’t step on them!  And, I’m not so sure you should eat them, but others were, and I didn’t see anyone fall over and die, so they could be safe!

 

Overall, I think the hike took about 4 hours, but it was incredibly worth it. Just remember to bring some snacks for fuel, and definitely bring some water to hydrate.  There wasn’t any shade, and certainly no springs to dip your water bottles in.  Please heed all signs that state parts of the trail are dangerous, and just be careful. And enjoy!