Mount St. Helens (Post 4) - Covel Creek Trail & #Waterfall - #SaturdaySnapshot

As I mentioned in my first Mount St. Helens post (link here), the Auburn Senior Activity Center's hiking group stayed at Cispus Learning Center. Not far from our lodgings we explored the Covel Creek Trail, out last hike of the trip. 
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Underneath the trail sign is a note: "Bridges Removed." That meant we had to scramble across creek beds. Our hiking poles sure came in handy! Luckily, there wasn't very much water in the streams in August.

The trail was well-marked and wide in most places, though there were steep and narrow sections farther on.

Our destination: Covel Creek Falls. I imagine there's much more water earlier in the summer, as compared to August, but it was still an amazing feeling to walk behind a waterfall.

Here's the view from behind the falls. So cool!

A mossy picnic shelter along the path.

On the way back, we walked along the Trail for the Blind. I tried closing my eyes and relying on the yellow rope for guidance, but there were too many roots and rocks for me to feel steady. I wondered how blind people were able to navigate it safely. 

More info about Covel Creek Trail and Falls: HERE

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To join in or to view photos from around the world: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Mount St. Helens (Post 3) / Norway Pass Trail - #SaturdaySnapshot

The highlight of my overnight hiking trip with the Auburn Senior Activity Center was the hike up the Norway Pass Trail. The operative word here is "up." Not steep but relentless. However, the magnificent views were worth the trek. FYI: Our group consisted of ten women, including two senior center representatives. 
[Click on photos for a closer look.]

Ready to go.

Along the trail we snacked on huckleberries. I would have been afraid to munch on wild berries, but our knowledgeable leaders knew which ones would be okay to eat. These were perfectly ripe and sweet. Within minutes our fingers were stained blue.

On this beautiful day we could see both Mount Adams and Mount Rainier, two volcanoes in the Cascade Mountains.

Mount Adams on the horizon

The snow-capped crest of Mount Rainier peeking over the hilltops

Dead trees from the 1980 eruption still cover the hillsides surrounding Mount St. Helens, along with new growth of trees and wildflowers.

Bleached remains of trees on the hillside that were mowed down 
by the volcano's blast

When I got tired or out of breath, I set a goal of walking to a certain tree or clump of flowers on the path ahead and then would stop there to catch my breath. In this way, I made it to the top.

Almost there!

Here's the magnificent payoff: a million dollar view of Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake. Perfect place to stop for lunch, isn't it?

The white area on the lake's surface is a mat of trees blown down during the volcano's eruption. (Curious? You'll find more about this HERE.)

A before-and-after photo by the U.S. Geological Survey is posted on the "PBS News Hour" website - HERE.

The distance between the Johnston Ridge Observatory and the Norway Pass Trailhead isn't far... as the crow flies. The map below shows the route by car. The blue patch on the map, between the Johnston Ridge Observatory and Norway Pass, is Spirit Lake.

Thanks for going along with me on my visit to Mount St. Helens. I'll post a few more photos next Saturday.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Mount St Helens (Post 2) - #Cispus Learning Center - #SaturdaySnapshot

Ten women (eight seniors and two leaders) from the Auburn (WA) Senior Activity Center recently spent three days and two nights at the Cispus Learning Center. It served as our home base for visits to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and hikes in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Kind of like summer camp!
(See last week's post about Mount St. Helens's Johnston Ridge Observatory: HERE) 
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

Our cabin ("Alder") could accommodate several dozen people, but our group was the only occupant. We had more than enough shower stalls, sinks, toilets, and beds. We even had plenty of room for line dancing. Everyone brought their own bedding and snacks (and even a couple of bottles of wine.) 

The Cispus staff provided breakfast, sack lunches (to take on our hikes), and dinner. Meals were served family style in this large dining hall. During our stay, we shared the facility with one other group, and they only stayed one night. Can you imagine this area filled with groups of kids? 

Perfect setting for an evening stroll around the grounds with a few of my fellow hikers. The weather was gorgeous--cool at night and just right during the daytime with lots of sunshine. After the first night, we had the whole facility to ourselves.

Wispy clouds greeted us one morning.

Next week I'll post photos from our hike on the Norway Pass Trail. The views of Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake from that viewpoint were magnificent.

Info about Cispus Learning Centers HERE

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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