My husband and I are going to Oregon and I thought we might do Mt. St. Helens as a day trip while we are in Portland and I'm being told on the Oregon board that I should expect this to be a full day trip to get there and visit the visitors centers, etc. My question is whether it is worth the expense of time to use a whole day to visit this site? I've been on the website for the monument and I'm not sure. I've read a lot of posts going back to 2003 and people seem to really like their visit but I'm not sure whether it is worth using up a whole day (of course, assuming the weather is clear enough to go and see anything) my husband loves to take photos and we would do some of the easier to moderate hikes but nothing very strenuous. I would appreciate any guidance.

I live in Portland and may be a biased volcano-lover but yes, it is worth a whole day. I have spent many whole days here. I would suggest that for you it depends what other day trips or overnight trips out of Portland you are considering and weigh Mount St. Helens against the other opportunities. However, most of the day trips are going to take a whole day. A trip up the Gorge for a hike on Mount Hood is another option, but that, too would take a whole day. Another opportunity would be a trip for wine tasting into the Willamette Valley, and another still is a road trip out to Astoria and back.

Oh dear, I just saw your very robust itinerary below and I'm afraid my reply is not helpful - you've got all of this covered and then some! Sounds like a delightful trip.

I agree, it is definitely worth the trip! Stop at the visitors centers along the way though to learn more about it. Johnston Ridge Observatory at the end of the road is a must see. If you only have time for one, that is the one. You can hike from there as well.

Your husband will find more dramatic mountain photos driving routes I outlined in one of your previous several postings:

If you use Hood River as your base in the Columbia River Gorge, you might want to take one of our favorite drives while you are there.

Drive East on I-84 to where Highway 97 crosses the Columbia River to Maryhill, WA, where there is an intriguing museum and a winery.

Return to Hood River on WA-14, which affords unmatched views of the Columbia River Gorge and, on a clear day, Mt. Hood.

Just past Bingen there is a bridge to Hood River.

Hood River is also a good base for visiting Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood. The views of Mt. Hood from OR-35 are spectacular, Timberline Lodge is a national treasure, and, on your return to Hood River, if it is clear, you will have great views of Mt. Adams, which is in Washington.

Attractions include Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams, Timberline Lodge, several waterfalls, and the Columbia River Gorge.

Mt.Saint Helens is interesting, but it is not now the jaw-dropping experience it was in the early 1980's.

We left Portland (actually Hillsboro which is farther out), drove to Mt. St. Helens (the closest visitor center since it was February and the only one open), saw the movie and looked at the displays (which were very interesting) and walked along the path outside. Then went to Columbia Gorge and did the trails down to Multnomah Falls (went back there the next day) and then back to Hillsboro in one day. Clouds were covering the mountain but it interested me enough to want to go back some day -- a clear day.

I would say go for it as long as you have time to get closer to Mt.St.Helens and -- most important -- it is clear enough to actually see Mt.St.Helens. The drive up isn't exceptional but you are close and appear to have enough time to add it. There didn't appear to be a quick way to get to the coast from there.

HTTY--I agree, the area is not the same as it was just before and shortly after the eruption. But IMO, it is still quite moving for those people who didn't see it as we did then. We have been to Mt. St. Helens numerous times and of course DH and I both remember the day it erupted and the ash that came down, etc. However, our kids only know what they have seen over the last 10 years or so and even they are amazed by it.

It was worth it for us - but could easily see how others might not agree. It is a barren mountainside - but being there gave me a perspective on how devastating it was, and how the area is acting as a living laboratory for regrowth/regeneration of plants and animals. We found the Visitor Center (do not remember name - it was the highest one) far superior to other similar type things - not overdone or hokey at all.

So depends on your schedule and own preferences - seems you have gotten a fair assessment and now need to prioritize and pick.

Thank you all so much for taking time out of your Sunday morning to help me with this question. We will keep Mt. St. Helens on the list subject to weather conditions. Your responses were very helpful.

I was in coastal Oregon last summer for the first time. I am from Illinois, so Mount St Helen's was my first volcano. I remembered reading about the eruption when it happened, but would never have comprehended the magnitude of this. We went on a spectacular day in July, and it was a full day excursion from where we stayed (outside Tillamook, OR). I thought the visitors centers were great, and the movie at the last visitor center (as close as they let you get) was spectacular. I was in awe...and glad I saw this. We ate dinner at one of the centers on the outside patio with a full view of the volcano...and that was very good. My grandkids were with, ages 10,8, and 4 and they seemed to learn quite a bit. Not what they see in northern Illinois...that's for sure. I would certainly keep this in consideration. Enjoy the great Pacific Northwest.....spectacular!!!