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.