Mount St. Helens

Mount St. Helens, looking a little apocalyptic in a haze created by the Lake Chelan fire currently burning in eastern Washington.  Last year we visited here as the wildflowers were starting to bloom.  This year we overshot, with the main bloom of prairie lupine already past.  Too early, then too late.  Next year I hope to get it just right!

Mount St Helens

Mount St Helens #4

And here she is! This was about the clearest the clouds got near her crater while we were there.  Visible in this photo are the north facing crater, the headwaters, the lahars, the toppled trees, and the beautiful carpet of purple and red wildflowers that bloom up here in June and July. Broad leaf lupine, red paintbrush as they call it out here, and Caldwell's pentstamon. The colors were overwhelming. I just had to keep pinching myself, this park was so beautiful. I definitely want to drive back for one more hike this summer.