If Mount St. Helens was popular before it erupted, it’s absolutely famous now! Seeing this volcano has been on my bucket list for a while, so I was excited when I got to take a tour from Seattle to the mountain through Evergreen Escapes.
The day started with a complementary pick-up from downtown Seattle by Evergreen Escapes. It was nice to not have to worry about driving and just get to enjoy the ride! I loved my first tour from Evergreen Escapes- one to Mount Rainier, so I knew I was in for another treat.
Our first stop was the visitor center. Even if you never make it to the mountain itself, the Mount St. Helens’s visitor center is really interesting. They have a lot of displays of the mountain and a ton of information to take in. I don’t think I would have been able to really appreciate the mountain without learning all the information behind it. One of my favorite parts of the visitor center was a really cool glass mosaic of the eruption.
The best days to see Mount St. Helens are clear, sunny days. Unfortunately, those are not the adjectives I’d use to describe the day I went. Even though the weather was really bad, my guide did everything he could to make the most of the day. We spent a lot of time at the visitor center, watching ranger information and checking from time to time to see if the fog had lifted. I really wanted to see the mountain, but I have to say that I didn’t mind being in the visitor center for a while. Like I said, it was pretty cool.
After a while, our guide decided to take us on a short hike around the visitor center. It was very nice, and had great views. The natural world in that area is perfectly gorgeous. We were able to take a look through binoculars, and even saw an elk in the distance! We also stopped by a small town that is supposedly haunts of Bigfoot. Of course, the only thing I saw in the trees was that elk and a few forest birds. Besides the elk and Bigfoot’s hometown, we also stopped by the ruins of a house that had been blown to bits by the volcanic eruption.
Finally, we came to a point where the crater was supposed to be visible. I searched through the mist and strained my eyes… but no luck. I could almost make out an outline, but not quite. Despite the disappointment of not getting to see it, the hike was beautiful and well worth the trip. We could, however, see Spirit Lake from a distance. Spirit Lake used to be two different bodies of water, but the blast from the volcano caused them to merge into a single lake and shot a giant wave into the air. For a while, the lake was uninhabitable, but nature finally evened things out and created the beautiful lake it is today. Marty, our guide, had a lot of knowledge to share about the lake and the whole surrounding area.
When lunchtime rolled around, I and the rest of my tour took a short stroll around Goldwater lake while we waited for Marty to set up. Before long, we were seated in a circle, sipping wine, eating, and sharing stories. Two of the people I sent with had gone on the same Mount Ranier tour as I had, so we already felt like family.
The Mount St. Helens tour was a day well spent. Evergreen escapes is always a hassle-free tour, and they do a great job of adjusting to the group. They give you the best possible tour under whatever circumstances. I’d definitely do it all over again!
Evergreen Escapes
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Uy, Karla! Mt. St. Helens! Ang ganda ganda. Super privileged ka to see so many sights and this one in particular is one of the destinations na tingin ko talaga, napakaganda. Syempre magaling ang nag take ng photos tsaka magaganda and guwapo ang nasa photos. Pero mas maganda talaga, sobrang ganda talaga ng place na ito.
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This one reminds me a lot of Mt. Pinatubo. It was really nice. I just wish I saw the whole thing 🙂
As a mountain-lover, this is definitely a sight to behold. Loving the snow-capped top but also the greens. The lakeside factor adds to its beauty! Hope to see more of these.
I agree, when you know something about a place, you tend to appreciate it more. That you didn’t just there to take pictures but to really get to know the place, what it is about and all. It’s interesting to know it’s the home of Big Foot.
The view looks beautiful. I haven’t hiked a volcano yet, it’s on my bucket list. I’m thinking I should start with Pinatubo or Taal. But if I get a chance, I’d like to see Mt. St. Helens too.
I really love visiting a volcano. Your pictures look great. Last year I was in holiday in Sicily. There, I did a trip to the Stromboli. It was an amazing tour. Loved it. I also visited the Etna!
Wow! That’s the only thing left by the explosion? Made me remember Mt. Pinatubo and Mayon Volcano here in the Philippines. The views are so breath-taking and srsly need more than a day to explore and appreciate! So lucky!
Wow, look at that scenery! What an amazing place to take a getaway. It’s a pity about the weather not being ideal for the views. Perhaps, that’s a good excuse to return on a clearer day? 🙂
I have never really climbed or even got close to a mountain before. Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of blog posts showcasing the beauty of mountains so I decided to do my first climb next month. 🙂 By the way, those photos are breathtaking! 🙂
It is absolutely gorgeous there! I had no idea Mt. St. Helens was full of so much greenery and lovely views! <3 it.
I haven’t been to Mt. St. Helens is such a longtime. I’m so inspired by the beauty of the mountain and the surrounding areas.
Wow what gorgeous photos. The scenery is just heavenly and would be hard to walk away from for me. How gorgeous. Looks like an amazing place to explore!
Those are some beautiful photos for “not a clear day!” I love the Yeti statue… I would be looking for foot prints 😉
It’s one of the places that you’ll appreciate more if you knew the story behind it, and it’s good to know that they have a visitor center where you can learn what happened. The place is still breathtaking and it’s really nice to go spend an entire day just walking around here!
You really can’t go wrong with a view as beautiful as that! I’d love to learn more about the history of the place and what happened. Seeing that last picture of the tip of a house is kind of sad, a reminder of what occurred in the past.
Wonderful view!!! I truly enjoyed reading this post. The mountain reminds me of Mt.Fuji LoL. It seems that many people are getting hooked into climbing mountains these days. And I’ll schedule my trip too!
Too bad the day you went wasn’t brigh and sunny. You still go some awesome pictures though.
What an amazing experience! I love Seattle, but I have yet to see Mt. St Helen’s up close and personal like this.
It looks so beautiful there! I would love to go hiking here sometime!
Oh. Em. Gee! My son would flip to see the Big Foot statue! 😀 Love your photos and what a breathtaking view I bet it is in person!
I know you had loads of fun. Would love to check this off on my bucketlist!
Your photos are stunning!!! I love natural getaways, especially coming from NYC!
Wow, I haven’t tried climbing in a mountain. Sounds like you are having so much fun!
Spirit Lake is interesting. I learned somethign new by reading your post. 🙂 I just know about Mt. St. Helen. You’re lucky to find a good travel guide for your trip.
Okay. I’m a huge roadside attraction lover so that Big Foot statue is calling my name! I’d visit simply to see that! Of course the scenery isn’t bad either. 🙂
Your pictures are giving me serious wanderlust. I need to take a trip to that area!
This looks like such a great trip. I am sure you had a blast.
Those views are absolutely breathtaking! Even though the day looks a little gloomy it adds to those gorgeous pictures and it looks like it was a good time had by all. Adding this to my bucket list!
With cloudy days you sure were able to get some amazing photos. Love that Bigfoot photo!
I haven’t tried climbing a mountain and I think I can’t with my age. That mountain looks gorgeous!
I love this trip of yours. What a wonderful time with the nature. I always wanted to try mountain climbing.
I love posts about the nature. This is a wonderful experienced. You are so lucky that you got so many chances to get into the nature!
i love the pics, looks amazing. i have a few friends in the area. i can’t wait to visit them
Awesome pics.. i’ve never been to St Helen.. I used to live in Seattle and loved the city
Your photos remind me of “The Sound of Music.” The snowcapped mountains are gorgeous!
WOW! this is a nice mountain! I would like to trek here given a chance! Nice shots as well!