Johnston Ridge Observatory — Attraction in Kelso

We visited on 8/1/21. We weren't sure if it would be much cooler at this altitude, but it didn't seem to be. The sun was shining and it was warm/hot in the sun.

The educational portion of the center was closed, but the bathrooms and gift shop were open during the hours listed on the website (I think it was 10-6? but they seem to update fairly regularly so check to be sure.) The gift shop was limited to 15 ppl at a time. If you see a tour bus pull up, you might want to run in there before the bus load. Masks are required if entering the building for bathrooms or gift shop.

There were rangers there with outdoor educational displays with photos, animal skeletons, a flour model of the eruption for kids, and junior ranger activity books. Kids can earn a free badge if they complete the requirements which was really cute and a nice souvenir. There were also 3 presentations that day in the outdoor amphitheater by a ranger explaining details surrounding the eruption. I was pleasantly surprised that this was taking place since I had read the center was temporarily closed, and the presentation was interesting and informative. Side note: I'd recommend sunscreen as there was almost no shade anywhere around the observatory or amphitheater.

In the parking lot there was a food truck with coffee/espresso drinks, hot dogs, burgers, and snacks. The bathrooms were in the visitor center- an easy walk up a paved walkway, but not close enough to be visible from the parking lot- maybe a 3-5 minute walk up a slight incline. This is also where the main viewing area is. If you want to take the paved trail up higher, it is a steeper incline with some patches of uneven asphalt. I don't think you could make it up that path/trail pushing a wheelchair or if you have difficulty walking, but you can make it to the observatory/main viewing point which is still a spectacular view. There were a couple of people using walkers who had made it to the observatory. The paved trail past the observatory continues, turning into an unpaved area, but we did not continue to that point.

It was a great experience to visit Mt. St. Helen's. The observatory was not quite as close to the peak as we imagined, but it was still an incredible view. If you bring binoculars you might spot some elk/wildlife in the valleys but we probably wouldn't have noticed if we hadn't overheard someone else talking about it. The drive itself had incredible views and we made a few stops at the viewing points. On the way back down we stopped at the bridge viewpoint, on the right as you drive down, which was an amazing view of one of the expansive bridges you drive over en route to Mt. St. Helen's.

I didn't think of it until we were driving up the road to the observatory, but a Google search mentioned a free downloadable audio tour timed with the drive when following the speed limit, created by a historical society. By that time it was too late to look into it with limited reception, but it might be worth looking into ahead of time.

Another side note: on our hundreds of miles of driving in Washington and Oregon, I'm glad I brought my old Garmin GPS. Although Google maps would often get us to our destination, there were so many areas without cellular data connection that it couldn't calculate the route back and I had to rely on the old fashioned GPS. (We had a paper map too as a backup, but GPS is...

Visited Johnston Ridge Observatory 7/15/19 to hike to Loowit Falls. Only 2 other cars in the lot when I arrived at 4am. Started hiking at 4:30am. 15 miles in 9hrs 49 mins total, 2hrs16 mins stopped 7.33hrs moving with 2416 elevation gain.

Hiked the boundary trail (a little overgrown in places, but otherwise trail is in good condition). Saw some chipmunks here.

To truman trail (a couple kind of sketchy area and a little overgrown in places, looks like there has been some trail work done in some of the bushy areas. Otherwise trail is in good conition). A beautiful colored lake/pond.

To Willow Spring Trail (in good condition) beautiful lupine fields here.

To loowit trail (in good condition) saw 50+ mountain goats here with 4+ large herds scattered all over the mountain. Everywhere I looked I saw mountain goats. It was a great first time experience to see so many. A lot of baby goats as well.

To falls trail (in good condition) I hiked to the end of the official falls trail, not very great views of the falls as there was thick clouds and it was sprinkling there, but on the other side of the canyon there was a mountain goat and a baby goat, so I did enjoy watching them while taking an hour break. It looked like there is a sketchy looking trail going closer to the falls, but I did not check it out as I was hiking solo.

Saw 12 other people on the trail, all on my way back.

If you have a NW forrest pass or America The Beautiful just display it in your car and you can hike and leave, but if you want to go into the observatory, you have to show them your pass.

May 2018 Went up there today. A little busy for a Monday. Beautiful day to see mt st helens! The gates were open so I decided to go up. Very informative. It costs $8.00 to go in the observatory when it is open.

Had a cheeseburger at the food truck, save your $$, the food isn't great.

9/15/19 arrived at the hummocks trailhead on Sunday at a little over 1pm only 2 other cars in the lot on a rainy weekend day. Didn't see anyone else on the trail. Handicap parking is available here, but the trails are not handicap accessible. There is no bathroom here, but there are bathrooms at coldwater lake and that is very close. Hummocks loop trail is a easy hike beautiful area for a sunset hike.

Also did the boundary trail to Johnston ridge which has some sketchy parts with close to 2000ft elevation gain. Great choice for a rainy day hike. Some mud and puddles on the hummocks trail along with overgrown areas. Huckleberries and wild blueberries are in season on the trail right now. Saw a bunch of shrooms on the boundary and hummocks trail including a big pile on chicken of the woods. Saw birds, small frogs, deer and a heard of elk in the valley below and even heard them calling out to each other, beautiful sound.

The road in is suitable for all vehicles and the parking is spacious enough at times I have seen the lot full and also a school bus or two in there.

Hummocks loop and Johnston ridge via boundary trail.10.38 miles with 1943ft elevation gain in 6hrs total time and 5hrs 27mins moving time.

Hummocks trail loop is a great place to bring kids with low mileage, interpretive kiosks and a phone learning app activity. Plenty of benches on the hummocks trail to sit and enjoy nature.

The least amount of people I've ever seen at the observatory...

Gorgeous views from here! A bit of a drive once you get off I-5 but totally worth it if you have time. Road can get windy but you're rewarded with many views and scenic turn-off locations along the way which make the trip more than worthwhile. Spectacular view of the north side of Mt St Helens where the top and side of the mtn once were. Tons of sheared off tree trunks can be seen in the distance as well as the toothpick-like remains of trees both still standing as well as those fallen, pointing in the direction that the blast toppled them. Easy to spot since they appear bleached white. Bring binoculars. Large viewing area upon arrival (with a food truck in the parking lot) & restrooms available before paying admission of $8). Suggestion: bypass the great little gift shop until after you see the films (line forms just past the info desk by the shop) 2 different ones (~15mins), one about the eruption, the other about the return of life to the area post-eruption. Stay seated after the film ends and screen goes up...you won't be disappointed by what happens next (have your camera ready)! Exhibits are interesting, full of personal accounts, and include some of the hands-on variety. Don't miss the large display that lights up showing the events as they happened. Ranger talks were informative, entertaining and worth the time to stop and listen. A windy paved path off the viewing area leads upward past purple, red, yellow & white late summer wildflowers. We were rewarded with a few seconds of company with a deer munching on vegetation right near the trail. Would return to hike additional paths. Don't forget water and hat/sunscreen if visiting in summer. Gets warm and sun can be intense. Highly recommend this but does make for a long day. Thank you Nat Geo for introducing me to MSH back in 1980...finally made it here to...