coldwater ridge visitor center

The best part here is the view down on Coldwater Lake and Mount St. Helens in the distance. From on the back deck you can see the boardwalk that winds out on Coldwater Lake (should be your next stop). Looking down on the crystal clear lake you can see a small island and a couple small submerged islands. Another photo opportunity.

The rangers and folks from the Mount St. Helens Institute were wonderful. This is not as visited as the other, but the view is wonderful.

Beautiful views of Mt. St. Helens and Coldwater Lake. The view from Coldwater looks directly at the volcano. The mudflow can be seen from this viewpoint.

The gift shop here is very good. There is also food here and the newspaper articles about the explosion of the Mt. I couldn't get enough of all the different sites along the way up to the Johnston Ridge area. Make it a day and enjoy. I stayed in Kelso and came in for the day and drove back to Portland after. The timing was very good. I got back to Portland for a little time to visit there as well, so not a bad trip to the top to see a volcano.

Get to Johnston Observatory it is the best lookout