You can read about Mount St. Helens’ violent and destructive eruption in 1980 in which 57 people and thousands of animals were killed.  But to fully comprehend the power and gravity of the event, you must set foot at its base.

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Still, today, you can see the impact of the eruption. An immense void in the side of the mountain. Dead trees litter the surrounding hills toppled over from the force of the pyroclastic flow. Large deposits of material from catastrophic flooding still are piled around the Toutle River. These are reminders of the overwhelming power of Mother Nature and our enduring powerlessness and vulnerability to such cataclysmic events.

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The feeling of destruction that remains reinforces the need to respect the power of nature. On display, though, is an important lesson for all of us. Although the destruction was immense, nature’s indelible persistence and the passing decades have born a remarkable recovery. Animals and vegetation have returned; the scars are fading.

 

Consider a visit to Mount St. Helens if you are near Portland or Olympia. It’s only a few hours away and the drive is very beautiful. If you are limited on time, but still want a great view, go to the Mount St. Helens Forest Learning Center. You’ll want to stop here to snap a few outstanding distant photos of the mountain anyways. However, the best views await you at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.