Hummocks Trail

Welcome to the Hummocks Trailhead, situated within the breathtaking expanse of the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. I am delighted to be your guide on this scholarly exploration of a landscape that was fundamentally…

Here at the trailhead near the pristine waters of Coldwater Lake, it is worth pausing to consider the logistical and geographical realities of visiting an active volcanic landscape. Our journey begins near the Spirit Lake…

As we advance further along the trail, we enter a remarkably vibrant section characterized by dense stands of trees. This sudden immersion into greenery is quite startling when you remember that the catastrophic landslide left…

We now find ourselves emerging from the tree cover to stand before one of the massive, undulating hills that give this trail its name. In standard geological terminology, a hummock is generally defined as a relatively modest…

As the trail weaves closer to the exposed flanks of the hummocks, take a moment to closely examine the actual rocks protruding from the soil. You will quickly notice an incredible diversity of coloration scattered across the…

Descending slightly into the troughs that separate the towering hummocks, we encounter a completely different micro environment. The violent debris avalanche that created the massive hills also inevitably created hundreds of deep…

As the trail levels out, we arrive at a significantly more established and expansive body of water. The sheer size and depth of this wetland stand in stark contrast to the small, rapidly evaporating ephemeral ponds we discussed…

We have now reached a significant navigational crossroad at approximately the half mile mark of the larger trail network. Here, the path intersects with the Boundary West trail. …

As we walk among these silent, towering hummocks, it is vital that we pause to reflect upon the profound human cost of scientific discovery. The story of Mount Saint Helens is inextricably linked to the dedication and ultimate…

As our loop trail gently bends back toward the parking lot, we find ourselves traversing beautifully constructed wooden boardwalks. These sturdy, elevated paths carry us safely over the small, meandering streams of water that…