A cairn found in Cohab Canyon, Capitol Reef National Park. Frank and Anne's Canyon Country Hiking and Camping Notebook.

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  Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument 
 
 
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Nature Trail, Mount St. Helens Visitor Center. This page contains information on hiking in and around Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington.
 Hiking

Precautions

  • When fire danger is high, trails and access in some areas may be closed.
  • A restricted zone around Mount St. Helens is closed to entry for visitor safety and resource protection. During periods of volcanic activity, some additional areas of the monument may be closed.
  • Stay on the trail; off-trail hiking is prohibited and there is a $100.00 minimum fine.
  • Trails in the blown-down forest are closed to horses to prevent the spread of foreign seeds, but numerous other trails in and near the Monument are open to horses.
  • Walk lightly on the land, stay on trails, and try to avoid stepping on small plants.
  • Pets are not allowed on many of the trails, so check with the local visitor center for restrictions.
  • See our Backpacking Tips.
  • See our Day Hiking Tips.
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Trails

Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:

Birth of a Lake Trail
Distance: .5 miles one way Rating: Easy
Elevation:   Total Ascent:  
Trailhead: In the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center area.
Description: This is an interpretive walk exploring the formation of Coldwater Lake and the evolution of the ecosystem within.
Learning Trail
Distance: 1,000 foot loop and .75 mile one way Rating: Easy
Elevation:   Total Ascent:  
Trailhead:  
Description: Along this paved loop and gravel path you will find over 200 species of plants and trees. Black bear and elk have been spotted along the trail.
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center Nature Trail
Distance: 1 mile round trip Rating: Easy
Elevation:   Total Ascent:  
Trailhead:  
Description: A boardwalk interpretive nature trail through a marshy area.
Winds of Change Trail
Distance: .25 miles round trip Rating: Easy
Elevation:   Total Ascent:  
Trailhead: In the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center area.
Description: An interpretive trail.

Not Hiked

  • Ape Canyon Trail #224
  • Ape Cave Trail
  • Big Creek Falls Trail #28
  • Boundary Trail #1
  • Curly Creek Trail #31A
  • Elk Bench Trail #211D
  • Eruption Trail
  • Harmony Trail #224
  • Hummocks Trail #229
  • Independence Pass Trail #227
  • June Lake Trail #216B
  • Lakes Trail #211
  • Lava Canyon Trail #184
  • Lewis River Trail #31
  • Meta Lake Trail
  • Norway Pass Trail (Boundary Trail #1)
  • Ptarmigan Trail #216A
  • South Coldwater Trail #230A
  • Trail of Two Forests Trail
  • Truman Trail #207
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This page was last updated Sunday, June 21, 2009
   
 
   
 
A Canyon Country cairn.