Hike: Hummocks Trail, Toutle, WA

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.

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.

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.

USGS photo of Hummocks, Volcano Hazards Program January 13, 1984

Hike: Hummock Trail, Toutle, WA

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

Distance: 2.41 miles
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).

Snowshoe: Hummocks + Boundary Trails, Mt St Helens, Toutle, WA

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.

The decision to head out there was seeded by the the Science & Learning Center's previous day FB post about being the perfect snowshoe conditions. That was all the incentive I needed.

SR504 was clear all the way, save a couple if spots that were in the shade that the plows didn't clear. Otherwise, it was the perfect bluebird day. I thought the SLC parking would be open as well as the balcony but the gate was closed when I was heading out.

The Hike

Length: 2.84 mi
Elev. gain: 238 ft
Moving time: 1:29:46
Avg pace: 32:25
Calories: 705
Total time: 1:44:04

The snow plows had pushed a berm of snow up to the trailhead sign. As I was getting my gear on, I peeked at the trail. It looked well tamped down by other hikers/snowshoers. Since it is relatively flat, I decided I didn't need microspikes and that I would carry my snowshoes until I needed them.

It had been a minute since my last visit to the Hummocks but the trail is well marked and I just followed the path. While it was easy to walk on, the sun was melting the snow enough to make it soft in spots and my foot sank to the ankle.

I still didn't need snowshoes but it was getting tricky and I tried my best to tread lightly. I didn't realize it at the time but at a split in the trail I took the more weathered path which was partly the loop trail. I followed it to the view point where the Hummocks Trail meets the the Boundary Trail up to Johnston Ridge.

The trail was about the same as it had been but I put on the snowshoes anyway. Better than carrying them, and I could use my poles. I surveyed the area and headed east on the Boundary Trail.

I didn't think I had time for the entire trek up to Johnston Ridge but decided to go for awhile. It was so peaceful and warm. I had to remove some of my warm gear. I was so happy to have prescription sunglasses. I found some sunscreen on the trail and should have used it but you know.. hygiene. I donned my jacket's hood. I knew if I would be out there for extended period of time, I would have gotten a sunburn.

When the trail starts to gain elevation up a small gully, the trail was "messy". The well tamped trail became an obvious but posthole mess. Even though I'd only gone about a mile from the parking lot, travel in snowshoes is grindingly slow.

I took my sweet time on the way back to soak in the scenery and take a few pictures. I wished I'd had a lot more time but I wanted to save some time for a stop at Coldwater Lake and maybe SLC. I knew that there was not precipitation in the forecast for a couple of days so I wasn't worried about getting stuck out there.

Nevertheless, I made slow-steady progress back to the parking lot.

Near on of the many ponds in the hummocks, I noticed a lot of animal fur on the snow. Did a bear sleep there? was an animal killed there? what was going on?

My senses were heightened and I cautiously raised my guard. It looked pretty fresh, given all the snow that has fallen on the area in the last week or two. I certainly wasn't going to be able to do much in snowshoes and my knife was stowed and not accessible though I'm not sure how much good it would do unless there was close contact, a last ditch effort to defend myself. <shuddddder>. Hopefully, if it was a kill, the predator wasn't still hungry. I saw some large round footprints leading down a steep hill and disappearing in the trees.

When I reached the parking lot, a car with three girls were there. I think they were smoking some weed. It didn't seem like they were there to hike or even get out and look. I waved as I was opening my car doors to get my gear stowed but paid no attention.

I finally was ready to go and pulled out of the parking lot and drove over to Coldwater Lake. There weren't any cars on the picnic side by the Birth of a Lake trail.

Coldwater Lake

After a spin on the Hummocks + Boundary Trails, I drove across SR504 to Coldwater Lake and the Birth of a Lake boardwalk trail.

I should have put on my winter boots but it looked like I could walk without them. I did get a bit of snow in my wool shoes but it wasn't a big deal. It was so gorgeous. I see some ducks and geese in the water and at the shoreline.

The boardwalk was full of snow but it was well packed for street shoes.

When I drove out, you have to go past the boat launch parking lot and I noticed there weren't any cars here either.

oops. off axis

A few shots from Castle Lake Viewpoint

MSH

Coldwater Peak

Hike: Hummocks Trail, Toutle, WA

 

Coldwater Lake from the MSH Science and Learning Center

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.

The Hike

Distance: 2.39 mi
Elevation Gain: 273 ft
Duration: 1hr 11min

Fun hike with fellow Hiking Steward volunteers with Mt St Helens Institute. We spent the morning together in the MSH Science and Learning Center learning about the role and responsibilities, practice using the radios when roving, how to respond to visitor inquiries in an engaging way, and learning more about the 1980 Eruption and the mountain's history.

We had lunch on the balcony overlooking Coldwater Lake and views of MSH.

In the afternoon, we split up into 4 groups of about 10 people each to hike the Hummock Trail. We carpooled down to the trailhead because the monument still closed to the public, related to the landslide near JRO.

It was a nice leisurely hike, we went in a counterclockwise direction. We'd stop at various places to point out features and practice out interpretive skills.

Hike: Hummocks Trail #229, Toutle, MSH, WA

Distance: 2.4 miles
Type: Loop
Elevation Gain: 246 feet
High Point: n/a
Duration: 1 hrs

Cool little trail across from the Coldwater Lake parking lot. It's also the last parking lot for the Boundary Trail since the road (Spirit Lake Highway) to Johnston Ridge Observatory is closed (March 2020).

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/hummocks-trail