On the south side of Mount St. Helens, take an easy hike to June Lake with a waterfall spilling into it. Or if you like scrambling, continue to the Loowit Trail and climb over large lava boulders to Chocolate Falls.
This was a two night backpacking trip during peak wildflowers at Mount St. Helens, and the first trip for me where photography was the main focus (pun intended!).
South Coldwater Ridge at Mount St. Helens is in the former blast zone, with evidence from the 1980 eruption visible from the trail, including downed trees and twisted logging equipment from that fateful day.
Hike though the blast zone at Mount St. Helens to Harry’s Ridge to see the area’s remarkable recovery since the 1980 eruption.