Mount St Helens 2022

Event Summary

t 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted in the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. 230 square miles of forest were scorched or blown down. That great catastrophic event not only shocked the world because of its explosive power, but shook the very foundation of evolutionary theory. Mount St. Helens has provided a massive natural laboratory for the understanding of catastrophic geologic processes, and what we are learning only serves to bolster the validity of the Biblical creation account.

Join Mount St Helens Creation Museum Director Bill Hoesch as he leads us up the Toutle River Canyon recounting the events of the eruptions from the 1980s and 90s. You will spend the day gaining a biblical understanding of creation evidences that appear worldwide but are in high relief at St. Helens. You will also share the joy of sweet fellowship with your co-adventurers as we spend the day walking and talking. It’s going to be great!

The adventure is appropriate for all ages. We convoy in our own vehicles. Each tour consists of several stops along the way, a picnic, and a short optional hike.

What to Expect

Tour Details

8:45am—Meet at the Mount St. Helens Creation Center, 147 Front Ave NW, Castle Rock, WA (360) 274-5737)
We will have a brief orientation lecture in the Center’s Theater.
Harry Gardner Park to see material left by the lahars (mudflows).
The Forest Learning Center to view material deposited by the landslide. See the museum and peruse the gift shop.
Castle Lake Vista Point will provide an amazing view of the landscape that tells the bigger story of the eruption.
Cold Water Lake for a peaceful picnic lunch. Then a very short hike to hear more stories about the eruption and the amazing recovery.
Hummocks Trail for a two-mile hike to investigate hummocks, ponds, plants, a canyon carved by the eruptions.
Johnston Ridge Observatory provides an amazing view of the crater and canyon systems. There is also a theater, small museum, and gift shop. The tour will end here at 5:00pm.

What You’ll Need

National Forest Day Pass ($6 unless you already own a different type of Nat’l Park Pass)
Release forms for everyone—we will have them at the orientation.
Full tank of gas since gas is scarce on the mountain.
A picnic lunch*
Proper footwear, water, sunblock, anything for a 2-hour hike.
The US Forest Service does not allow pets!

* The Cascade Market in Castle Rock has wonderful sandwiches and other deli items. You can call the day ahead to place your order so it is available to pick up the morning of the tour. Make sure to tell them the Mount St. Helens Creation Center sent you! Their number is (360) 274-4143.

Event Speakers

Dr. Tim Clarey

Dr. Tim Clarey received a Master of Science in Geology in 1984 from the University of Wyoming. He earned a Master of Science in Hydrogeology in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Geology in 1996 from Western Michigan University. For nearly a decade, Dr. Clarey worked as an exploration geologist at Chevron USA, Inc., developing oil drilling prospects and analyzing assets and lease purchases. He was Full Professor and Geosciences Chair at Delta College in Michigan for 17 years before leaving to join the science staff at the Institute for Creation Research in 2013. As Research Associate, he’s studying sedimentary rocks across the globe to find further evidence for the Genesis Flood. Dr. Clarey has published two college laboratory books and many papers on various aspects of the Rocky Mountains. He is the author of Dinosaurs: Marvels of God’s Design and a contributor to Guide to Dinosaurs.

Pat Roy

Pat Roy is the co-founder of Creation Quest along with his wife, Sandy and two kids Summer, and Melody. Pat spent 12 years as the radio producer for the Institute for Creation Research (ICR). He began at ICR when Ken Ham was in charge of the radio department. When Ken left, Pat became the Director of Broadcast media. During that time he and his wife, Sandy, created Jonathan Park, a kid’s radio drama which put all that Pat had learned and continued to learn about six-literal-day creation into a format kids could understand and enjoy. From there, Pat and Sandy created Creation Quest, an organization committed to sharing the Gospel and giving families a Biblical and scientific case for Genesis 1.

Dr. Keith Swenson

Dr. Keith Swenson is a retired medical doctor who now teaches courses in biology and geology at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. He also served for twenty years as President of Portland’s Design Science Association and was on the board of the Seven Wonders Museum near Mount St. Helens. Keith especially enjoys leading field trips and has taken thousands to Mount St. Helens, the Columbia Gorge, Northwest forests and the Grand Canyon. He co-leads, with Dr. Steve Austin, periodic trips into the “Little Grand Canyon” at Mount St. Helens. He and his wife, Connie, have four grown children.

Paul Taylor

Paul and his wife Geri have been the directors of the Mount St. Helens Creation Center since October 1, 2014. Paul has been speaking on creation and apologetics, and against evolution, for over 35 years. He taught science in public (government) schools in the UK for nearly 20 years. He has worked with ministries such as Answers in Genesis and Creation Today, and has spoken in Britain, Ireland, Europe and across the United States, in churches and at conferences. He has authored nine books including The Six Days of Genesis, Itching Ears, and Don’t Miss the Boat.

Event Schedule

Monday, August 19

Summit St. Helens: This is an opportunity prior to the conference to scale the summit of St. Helens. Permits are required and participants must be physically fit. If you are interested, we can provide contact information. This is facilitated by a local group that is not affiliated with Landmark Events.

Tuesday, August 20

12:00pmRegistration opens

2:00pmWelcome: Orientation and Overview

2:45pm Mount St Helens – A Message for Today – Paul Taylor

4:15pm The Catastrophic Geology of MSH – Dr. Tim Clarey

5:30pmDinner Break

7:00pm Biological Recovery at MSH – Part 1 Dr. Keith Swenson

8:00pm The Journey to Novarupta – Pat Roy

Wednesday, August 21

7:00am*Mountain Tours Depart

7:00pm*Mountain Tours Return

* Return times will be vary.

Thursday, August 22

7:00am*Mountain Tours Depart

7:00pm*Mountain Tours Return

* Return times will be vary.

Friday, August 23

8:30am Biological Recovery at MSH 2 — Dr. Keith Swenson

9:45amDarwin’s Big Lie — Paul Taylor

11:00am Young Earth/Recent Flood Evidence — Dr. Tim Clarey

12:00pmLunch Break

1:30pm Exploring Creation: The Spirit of Adventure — Pat Roy

2:30pmOnly Believe — Paul Taylor

4:00pm Volcano judging and eruptions

6:00pm Dinner Break & Fellowship

7:00pm Quiz, Panel Discussion, Q&A

Saturday, August 24

Saturday, August 24 (optional):Additional excursion with Paul Taylor (not included in registration). Contact Paul Taylor at Mt. St Helens Creation Museum for details and scheduling at (360) 274-5737 or info@mshcreationcenter.org.

This will take in viewpoints on the South of the volcano: June Lake and waterfall (including 0.5-mile walk), Lahar Viewpoint, Lava Canyon (including 1.3-mile walk, with canyon suspension bridge), the Trail of Two Forests (short 0.3-mile stroll, plus picnic area for lunch), and the entrance to the Ape Cave.

Accommodations

We have selected the Red Lion Hotel in Kelso, WA to host our event. Clean and comfortable, this recently renovated hotel is the ideal spot to meet together, as well as the base from which to launch our tours of the mountain and other local attractions.

There is a block of rooms set up under the name Landmark Events for August 19-23. Nightly rates are $92 + tax. There are also spacious parlor suites and executive suites for $135.00 + tax. Each of these has an additional connecting bedroom that is $92 per night. Call the hotel directly at 360-636-4400 ext. 0 for the front desk to make reservations.

Address: 510 Kelso Drive Kelso, WA 98626
Tel: (360) 636-4400
Site: https://www.redlion.com/kelso-longview

Other Travel Information

Nearest Airport: Portland International (PDX)

Transportation: It would be best to rent a car if you fly in as Kelso is about an hour north of Portland Airport. You will need your own car for the mountain tours.

Suggestions on what to bring: We would recommend that you consider bringing a hat, journal, camera, umbrella, and comfortable trail walking shoes or boots as we will walk a lot.

Event Summary