Getting There
From Castle Rock, just off I-5, take WA-504 east for for 43.3 miles to the MSH Science and Learning Center. Then, take the cloverleaf turn and follow the road for 2.4 miles to the Hummocks Trailhead.
I'd stayed the night in Castle Rock so I wouldn't have as far to drive arrive by the meeting time at 9:30AM. There was a bit of snow in the shaded parts of the road between Elk Rock and Castle Rock Viewpoints but the road was otherwise clear. It was certainly skirting freezing temperatures.
Despite having the hotel room, I arrived at the parking lot for the Hummocks trail at 9:15AM. Most of the Sunday group of fellow Volcano Naturalist classmates had already arrived. I began getting ready for a rainy, cool hike.
The Hike
Elevation Gain: 280 feet
Highest Elevation: 2,567 feet
Even though this was a group hike, I still brought most of my usual gear (shelter, warm clothing, extra snacks, water). Before setting out, we formed a large circle in the parking lot and introduced ourselves. Besides the classmates and Sarah, we were accompanied by a geologist and MSH author.
This was not intended to be a long or strenuous hike. We adopted a leisurely pace and set time aside to stop and hear from our guests to talk about eruption, features to look out for next to the trail, and anecdotes about conducting research.
As shown, the mountain was shrouded with cloud and we were soaked by the end, though we were all prepared with appropriate gear. I didn't take many photos as the focus was learning.
After the hike, we got in our cars and reconvened at the Coldwater Science & Learning Center for a bit more instruction and wrapping up the day and VNP course in-general (it was our 3rd and final field trip).
