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| Group photo of MSHI volunteers |
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.
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| View from Elk Rock Viewpoint on Hwy 504 |
I'd originally planned to camp at staff housing at SLC but Sarah said she wasn't camping at the Climbing Steward training and when I looked at the roster, only one (or two) others had signed up. I decided to stay the night in Castle Rock. I had volunteered for gate duty, only letting in MSHI volunteers, since the visitor center didn't open to the public until 10am. When I arrived Abi and Karen were going through the gate. I parked at prepared for the arrivals.
Not long after I was there, my co-mentor for hike pulled up and helped me screen folks. We might have let in one or two cars that shouldn't have but NBD. It was great to chat and get to know each other, and figure out how we would coordinate with our group of new volunteers.
We spent the morning at the SLC at a big group, getting an overview of the role, some radio practice, and got to hear a typical USFS ranger talk so we would know what level of information visitors might receive. Several returning volunteers gave a 2-min talk about the different areas volunteers can rove. Mine was for 83 & the southside. I remember talking and making sure I made eye contact with folks on both side of the room but it was a blur. I forgot to talk about Ape Cave!
We had lunch inside and outside on the balcony overlooking Coldwater Lake.
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| Coldwater Lake and MSH from SLC |
After lunch, we all drove down to the Hummocks Trailhead and reassembled into our groups. I had one passenger carpool down with me. We gathered near the trail and I gave a little bit of information, expectations, and we did our "in-service" call to Sarah. I suggested taking the counterclockwise loop: there were four groups so it ensured we had ample space.
The Hike
Distance: 2.38 miles
Elevation Gain: 269 feet
Maximum Elevation: 2,567 feet
Duration: 2h 30m
After getting our things together, we assembled near the trailhead and I review the plan for the hike and expectations and called in to Sarah to practice checking in with dispatch.
Since there were 4 groups, two took the clockwise loop and two took the counterclockwise loop. The weather was damp and overcast but we were bundled up appropriately.
To be honest, it was challenging to lead a group for the first time, even though I had a co-mentor. We quickly caught up to the other group on the CCW loop so I stalled to give them some space but ultimately picked the same spots to stop and chat. I tried to channel my mentor from last year, Christoph, and delegate to folks to do mock interactions, personas like "this is my first time here, what are we looking at?". I also tried to remember the things we covered when I was here with the 2024 Volcano Naturalists.
I also tried to use the opportunities to talk about the terrain while keeping tabs on the time and asking my co-mentor Dean to chime in.
It went by pretty quickly. Soon we were at the lookout where the loop trail meets the Boundary Trail. We stopped to chat about the mountain, hummocks, and take another group photo.
Back at the packing lot, we assembled again for closing remarks and check out with Sarah on the radio.
I had one person carpool with me and I have to return the radio, so I said goodbyes to the rest of the group and drove back up to the SLC.
I was glad the day was over and I'd done all the things a mentor should. Sarah reassured me that I did great and was so happy to see me step into a leadership role.
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| USGS photo of Hummocks, Volcano Hazards Program |
