windy ridge viewpoint

Although it is a bit of a drive to get up here, it is well worth the time and effort. To get to Windy Ridge, you get to drive through the Blast area from the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. You can still see the "fall line" even though it has been almost 35 years. My first trip up there was in 1983 and there was absolutely NOTHING growing, but now you can see the native wildflowers, trees and wildlife that has recovered. We try to make it up here every year. It is not as "touristy" as Coldwater and Johnston Observatory, but it does have a stairway to Heaven that will give you that incomparable view into the mouth of St. Helens.

Windy Ridge is actually the very last stop of Mt St Helens east entrance. From the beginning of the east entrance to the end is roughly 20 miles and it is heaven along the way. The west entrance was nice but this ….. oh wow! Aside from lava flow fields on the west side, this area has the dead tress strewn on the hillsides.At this stop, there are lots of wooden stairs going straight up and the top with a 360 view.If you don’t already have a park pass, this where a park ranger is and he collects $5 for the entrance…backward – right? LOL. BTW, CASH ONLY. He gives you a ticket to put in your window. Oh, and I never had to pay anyone for the west entrance but they got my money via goods. If you look on the www.fs.usda.gov website, it shows the east and south as requiring a permit but not the west.At this last stop you also get a closer view of the crater!Ok, pay the fee and walk way up those steps to Windy Ridge. Trust me it’s worth it – just take your time. At the top, you can see Johnston Ridge Observatory across the way, Spirit Lake where logs still float from the blast and the trail I was talking about starting at the observatory which leads to the lake, Mt Rainier, Mt Hood, Mt Adams and Loowit Falls under the crater’s mouth. It is divine. I could go on with adjectives but you get the picture? See for yourself with my postings of pictures. I spent at least 1.5 hours at this last stop.A couple of stops (Donnybrook and Harmony) on the right hand side before Windy Ridge have wonderful views of Spirit Lake. The Smith Creek stop on the left side right before Windy has a huge circular drive area and many people can sit on top of a stone built wall to take in the beauty of Oregon across the way. I started from Ashford, WA around 8 am and did not get back until 3:00 pm so plan accordingly. I thought this would take a couple of hours but I was wrong.This entrance MUST be a part of your Mt St Helens experience.

Views are out of this world, no crowds like at the other place/Johnston Obs. There are no services so gas up and bring your lunch. You will have to purchase a forest pass for day use and you can buy them in Randle WA at the little market right before you turn off hwy 12. Take the stairs up to the top when you get to Windy Ridge...it is worth it. You can picnic anywhere in Gifford Pinchot National Forest...find a nice spot to pull off and enjoy the nature and beauty of the place. As long as you have your day pass. Much better than fighting crowds for a spot to watch a video and the other viewing spot for St. Helens.

Someone else wrote that they were reminded of the road to Hana. But the road to Hana was in better condition than these Gifford Pinchot National Forest roads. We encountered a lot of road subsidence on NF99 (the Windy Ridge Road) and NF25 (Pine Creek to Iron Creek) ... about three hours of two lane roads with lots of switchbacks, fallen debris, and subsidence (often well into the outside lane). Our rear-wheel drive sedan did just fine, but we watched the road surface carefully and traffic was light. The views are outstanding, and from this side, you get to see the blow-down up close. 35 years later, and you can still see it.

Getting close to the 35th anniversary of the Mt. St. Helen's explosion, you can still see lots of devastation along the way. I highly recommend you drive all the way around but traveling to this side of the mountain is where you see most of the destruction. Once you have arrived at Windy Ridge there is a Park Ranger out there who gives presentations about what had happened, very informative. You do need to obtain a parking pass that is good for one day and is only $5

For those of you who have ventured to Maui and driven the road to Hana this was a little similar, as it's about a 30 mile drive round trip from hwy 25 and the entire trek is slow and windy, curve after curve. For those who get road sick or headaches in higher elevation, this may make you a little sick so bring lots of water. There are tons of little stops and view points along the way up that you can check out for a great photo opportunity , or even go on a hike in one of the many designated trails. I recommend checking out spirit lake, it is breathtaking and the history is really interesting. At the end of the road, there is a great view of the mountain, which happened to be steaming in 3 spots when we were there. For a better view, there are built in stairs up the hill adjacent to the parking lot. And...if you want to learn more about the eruption and mountain, three times a day a ranger does an interpretive story on the left side of the parking lot by the maps and built in seats so check that out, they are super informative. I've been to all three sides of the mountain, and this side is one of the lesser travelled, and for that I really liked the serenity and peaceful surroundings.If you only have a day or two to see the mountain, you can fit in ape caves and lava canyon, then come to windy ridge and spirit lake, as it's only 50 miles apart from each other. These are both more on the east side of the mountain so you could access both in one trip....we did. But getting to Johnston ridge you would need another full day as that is many hours around the other side of the mountain. So if you want to see more than one view point, I would recommend these two as they are the closest to one another. And....just past ape caves is a great view point of the mountain just beyond climbers Boulivac

The roads are just what the title says, on the way up you are hugging the side of the foothills like crazy! The road is full of ruts and bumps that make the drive even scarier, but then you begin to see the devastation caused by Mt. St. Helens...it is completely jaw-dropping. Once to the viewpoint you can see into the crater; still venting steam, and look down into the Spirit Lake Valley below and see the beginnings of a return, but grey is still the dominant color. The way down is just as hair-raising or moreso than the way up. Take it slow and pay attention to the speed limits and you will be glad you went.

For those of you who remember the Mt St Helens eruption this is a must do drive. South of Randle, WA on 131/25/99 provides you an up close look at the power of a volcanic eruption. In addition, you get great views of Mt Adams and on a clear day Mt Hood in Oregon! Either before or after stop for a bite to eat at the Mt Adams restauant at the turnoff to 131. Great food at reasonable prices!

I was last here a few decades ago, but we brought the girls (10 and 13) along this time for their first visit. We stopped at the Johnston Ridge Observatory yesterday, and I personally think the views there are more impressive than here at Windy Ridge, but this is a must see too. We drove in from the south via Hwy 503 and National Forest Road 90 which was very windy, bumpy, and slow going just like National Forest Road 2515 and Hwy 131 heading north to Randle on Hwy 12. We arrived at Windy Ridge in mid afternoon and were greeted by a fair number of cars in the lot. The 432 stair climb to the lookout point is well worth the effort. Once at the top, we hiked another 1/3 mile or so east along the pumice trail to a better view of the log-covered Spirit Lake before turning around and heading back down. Windy Ridge is aptly named, but on an 80+ degree day, it was welcomed. Interestingly, when we visited Johnston Ridge on the previous day, there was hardly any wind at all.?. We stopped at the Harmony Viewpoint on the drive back down and hiked the 1+ mile trail (700' elevation I think) down to Spirit Lake which is a must also!

There aren't many places where you can witness the results of an incredible natural explosion and vibrant return of vegetation and wildlife just be taking a few steps out of your car. Windy Ridge is actually approached from the north by routes 25 and 99. When we visited in late June, the road had just opened for the season and there were few cars. We stopped to gaze through fog and rain at the eerily bare trunks of trees that had withstood the massive explosion, then walked down to Meta Lake through glades of wildflowers, the sounds of birds, and a snuffle that was frighteningly bear-like. Overlooking Spirit Lake, we gradually comprehended that it has risen over 200' from pre-1981 depths, and below lie the remains of camps, fishing retreats, and the stubborn Harry Truman who steadfastly refused to leave. A visitors center is under construction. The Route 99 entrance is about 35 miles, and one has to return the same way.

A very fun trip, with an amazing view at the destination, Windy Ridge.It is **NOT** open year-round. Snow closes FS 99 for part of the year.It can be a lot of fun as a destination for a day-trip on motorcycles.There's very little in the line of amendments there - There's restrooms, but no food, fuel, or gift shops.What there is though, is an AMAZING view of Mt St. Helens, Mt. Adams, (As well as Mt. Rainier while on the way up.)

Mount St Helen's is a lesson in history, geology, nature and humanity. The Windy Ridge entrance to the park is less traveled, uncrowded and makes a great approach to those who like the road less traveled. You can order a DVD copy of the educational film to watch in advance of your visit to make up for the fact there is no visitor center. The interpretive signs and sites en route are well done. You are traveling through the blast zone here, so you will get a good solid education even if this is the only area you visit. Need a not-so-strenuous hike? Park at the Independence Pass trail head. You only need to hike in about a mile to get an outstanding view of Spirit Lake at the foot of the now exposed volcanic cone. If you enjoy a physical challenge, hike from the Norway Pass trail head. Scenery here may not be as "pretty" as other parks, but it's a real eye-opening experience. The terrain is ash and brush, so wear appropriate clothing and footwear. The roads are winding, curvy and even falling away in some places. Drivers beware.

A rough road with sharp curves -caution required- for about 40 min to go there. Breathtaking and closer views of the crater than in Johnston Ridge Point that we did two years ago. No crowd, no gift shop, no food, no refreshment (fill up gas tank and take drinks with you), no visitor center, no tour buses... Nothing but a feeling of world's end in a wild nature, sometimes lunar, and the terrifying scars of the eruption, even if the forest is reborn. Go up to the last parking lot to contemplate the volcano closer. Just great wind and total silence there : a strange impression of being alone and at the mercy of the monster... Spirit Lake down under with thousands of tree trunks on surface. Miner's car view point -sinister and very impressive- (car wreck of three people who unfortunately died in the eruption). Hiking possible / see USDA MSH-NVM site for the online map. A very different way to see the real strength of Mt St Helens, so far away from the beaten tracks.

Worth the drive or hike to see Mt St Helens and Spirit lake. Johnston Ridge to the west has great movies and visitor center