On the way back to Seattle we stopped by Mount St. Helens and went for a short 1.5 mile hike near the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Unforunately I forgot to put the Forerunner on because it would have been a cool map, but I didn't forget to take some pictures. We hiked in sandals which was a mistake because the trail is on a very steep ridge.

I also have to mention an annoying aspect of our visit: there was a guide at the observatory who gave a short presentation. Afterwards he kept looking at people's hands to see if they were wearing a wrist band--indicating that you paid to visit the observatory and/or walk on the trails--and used a megaphone to tell people who were walking around that they had to pay. Why not just charge people per car as they enter the park, as is done at national parks?

On a positive note that trumped the annoyance was that we got to see a small eruption!

Total: Hiking!

[Backdated on 09/29/2006]