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All Weather Walkers and Vancouver USA Volkssporters welcome you to FOUR beautiful walks in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument on Labor Day Weekend. Please plan to join us for a very special holiday this year. All walk routes have REMOTE starts. Register at the TOUTLE LAKE HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM and drive to various Start Points.  Local links and lodging information are listed below.

CENTRAL REGISTRATION AREA
Toutle Lake High School Gymnasium; 5050 Spirit Lake Highway; Toutle, Washington.
DIRECTIONS:  From I-5, take Exit 49, Toutle/Castle Rock. Southbound left, Northbound right, following SR-504 East to the small community of Toutle. Toutle Lake High School gymnasium is the last brick building on the left just past school district headquarters. Volkswalk signs will be posted.
TIMES:  Start any time between 8am - 1pm; Finish by 4pm.
NOTE:  An additional $8 for a Monument Pass is required to park at trailheads and enter Johnston Ridge Observatory. Various recreation passes are accepted.
PETS:  Leashed, well-mannered pets are permitted on the Silver Lake/Seaquest State Park walk only.
Pets are not permitted within the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Carrying extra water is highly recommended. Hiking staffs, sturdy shoes, a picnic lunch, camera, and bandana will enhance your visit.

WALKS / TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

View photos of each trail from our 2007 event weekend here

SPIRIT LAKE; 12km, Rated 4; 6km, Rated 2 (note new lower rating); NW10-84057
    Register and drive 40 miles to trailhead. Hike the Boundary Trail from Johnston Ridge Observatory along a ridge high above Spirit Lake. Panoramic views of the crater, blast zone, Spirit Lake and Toutle River Valley.
    The 6k turnaround is at a viewpoint at the only remains of downed blast-zone logs along this trail. Recently, strollers were deemed OK on this shorter route. The 12k turns around at a panoramic viewpoint of greater Spirit Lake and its roving pond of floating log debris.
    Rating is due to the undulating route and narrow, rocky footing on sporadic sections of the path. Ash, rock, and dirt trails. Remember, this is a fee area. No pets; 12km unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
    Qualifies for Washington State Challenge (WSC): Skamania County, All Clubs, Landscape.

SILVER LAKE VISITORS CENTER AND SEAQUEST STATE PARK; 10km Rated 2+; 5km Rated 1+ (note new lower rating); NW10-84054
    The Mt. St. Helens Visitors Center was the first to be built after the May 18, 1980 eruption.
    Register and drive 5 miles (west) to start point. Route includes wetlands and boardwalk paths at the visitors center at Silver Lake, then enter heavily forested trails and campground areas in Seaquest State Park via a tunnel under the highway. Terrific Mt. St. Helens views across Silver Lake.
    Plenty of free parking at the Start Point area. Leashed pets allowed with proper clean-up. Strollers can do a shorter route. Unsuitable for wheelchairs. Picnic tables available at visitors center and state park.
    Qualifies for Washington State Challenge (WSC): Cowlitz County, All Clubs, Landscape.

COLDWATER LAKE; 10/5km, Rated 2; NW10-84055
    This route will give walkers insight on how the forest restores itself after total devastation. The water in this area has greatly enhanced the forest’s speed of recovery.
    Register and drive 34 miles to trailhead. An out-and-back along the shore of Coldwater Lake on The Lakes Trail 211. Dirt, rock, and ash surfaces. NOTE:  the 3km additional option on the Elk Bench Trail to Coldwater Ridge Visitors Center and back has been cancelled. We have been informed by the U.S. Forest Service (Wed., 9/1), that the visitors center, its parking lot, and the Elk Bench Trail is now closed to public access. You can still enjoy the 5 km or 10 km routes. We apologize for this unexpected change.
    Remember, this is a fee area. No pets; unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Picnic tables available at trailhead. 
    Qualifies for Washington State Challenge (WSC): Skamania County, All Clubs, Landscape.

HUMMOCKS/BOUNDARY TRAIL; 20km, Rated 4; 7km or 5km, Rated 2 (5km is a Remote Start); NW10-84056
    Register and drive 34 miles to trailhead. Hike the Hummocks and Boundary Trails past Loowit Viewpoint to Johnston Ridge Observatory and return; 1600 ft. elevation gain. A strenuous hike on dirt/ash surfaces, with exceptional views of Mt. St. Helens, Castle Lake, Coldwater Lake, and the blast zone.
    The 7km trail begins at The Lakes trailhead at the Coldwater Lake parking lot. The 5k is a loop on the Hummocks Trail, a short drive to begin. Enjoy ponds, streams, large hummocks, and close-up views of the Toutle River.
    Start Point begins at The Lakes trailhead at Coldwater Lake. Water and restrooms available. (Remember, the parking lot is a fee area for the 7 km and 20 km routes.) No pets; unsuitable for strollers and wheelchairs. 
    Qualifies for Washington State Challenge (WSC): Skamania and Cowlitz Counties, All Clubs, Landscape.

You might also check out our Mt. St. Helens South Rim Seasonal hike/climb -- only for the most adventurous!

Mt. St. Helens is an active volcano. These events are subject to cancellation without notice if volcanic activity rises to an unsafe level. Participants may be exposing themselves to volcanic hazards that may occur without warning.

For more information about these walks, contact:
Jan Breneman, AWW, phone (360) 835-9686, breneman@pacifier.com
Dick Baker, VUV, phone (360) 573-6048 home, 360/944-8090 cell. dickbkr@earthlink.net

For more information about the entire Mt. St. Helens area, see http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/mshnvm/.
For more information about Seaquest State Park, go to http://www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Seaquest.

LODGING OR OTHER INFORMATION:

Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, 360/274-6603

Cowlitz County Visitor Services, 360/577-3137

Skamania County Chamber of Commerce, 800/989-9178

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION APPLYING TO ALL EVENTS...
FEES:  AVA Credit Only is $3. No refunds. Sponsoring clubs are non-profit organizations and donations to help support future events are appreciated. Non-credit walkers are welcome to participate at no charge. All must register, carry, and return a start card.
COMFORT:  Water and restrooms at registration and each Start Point. Carrying additional water is strongly recommended. Pets are not permitted in the monument areas, but are permitted at Silver Lake/Seaquest State Park as noted above.

MORE DETAILS HERE.

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