fastest way to the obsevatory from I5 or coastal 101
Should we plan a full day trip or is a detour enough on way back from CA
how much can you see without climbing up
i dont think we can climb with a 6 yr old?
anyone been there -- any advice
thx

From I-5 get off at exit #49 and head east on that road. You go past a few visitors centers, and then the road dead ends at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Excellent center! You can see a lot from here. If you want, you can hike as there are various trails in the area, so you can do that without doing the actual climb, which you would need a permit for anyway.

We have been there numerous times and still spend an entire day there on each visit. So much to see!

We like the east side of Mt StHelens much more than the the west side and the Johnston Ridge Observatory... It takes a little longer to drive there but you can see much more of the devastation that the eruption caused. Take a hike down to Spirit Lake and see it firsthand.. we have done this and it was well worth the extra effort..

http://www.destination360.com/us/was...pirit-lake.htm

thanks mms and redrock
We'd be driving back from Disney
where did you stay and how far was it from the observatory

Nowhere to stay near there. Are you leaving from Seattle? If so, plan on taking the day, and staying in Portland for the night. It is one hour from the I-5 Mt. St. Helens exit to Portland. Mt. St. Helens is all day. Check out the National Park Service/ Mt. St. Helen website and also run a search on this website as this has been discussed extensively. Visit all of the Nat. Pk Visitors Ctrs, as you head towards Johnstone Ridge. Each is excellent and has a different theme. Take a picnic lunch.

Oops. Notice you are returning from Disney. So, stay in Portland for the night, and then head to Mt. St. Helens. Arrive in an hour at the first visitor center. Spend the day, then on to whereever. Seattle?

Pay close attention to the weather as you approach the turn to Mt. St. Helens. If it is low clouds and/or drizzle, you might want to go to the closest visitors center of skip it entirely. The only time we had available, the clouds were right at treetop and there was no mountain to be seen.

For more information this site may help.

http://www.fs.fed.us/gpnf/volcanocams/msh/

thanks you guys