Standing On the Rim of Mount Saint Helens

The View from the Rim of Mount Saint Helens, Mount Rainier in the distance

I’m not sure what I was expecting when we reached the rim of Mount Saint Helens, but it certainly wasn’t a lake. The landscape was wild, barren, harsh and it was only made harder by the strength of the sun on the crystal clear day.

We started before sunrise on the long hike to the peer into the crater of a volcano that erupted just 40 years ago. The rim sits at 8,366 feet, still an impressive size. We climbed 4,500 feet over 5 miles of mostly lava rock and scree to be rewarded with a surprising and hauntingly beautiful view. Surprisingly snow and permanent glaciers still linger on the edges of the volcano.

Even though my mind seems to think I remember the eruption, I can’t possibly since I was just 2 years old. Perhaps I remember the stories of recovery filled with hope and promise. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself.

Sunrise over Mount Hood from the trail up Mount Saint Helens

The first rays of light on the trail

The rugged trail up Mount Saint Helens

On the rim of Mount Saint Helens

On the rim of Mount Saint Helens

On the rim of Mount Saint Helens

Still smoldering

Mount Rainier from Mount Saint Helens