We were hoping for better weather and some mountain views when we returned to Mt. St. Helens to close out our camping weekend. And we weren't disappointed!

After a nice picnic lunch near the parking lot at Coldwater Lake, we "hiked" the .5-mile Birth of a Lake Trail at the southwestern tip of the lake. A curious green violet sparrow perched and posed for us. Next was the 2.5 mile Hummocks Trail -- great views of Mt. St. Helens and the Toutle River Valley, and good examples of different post-eruption ecosystems. For the best views of the mountain, hike it counter-clockwise by starting at the western edge of the trailhead parking lot, not from the trailhead sign.

Next we drove up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory to give our first-time visitors the full experience. The rangers said this was the first view of the mountain they'd had in four days, and they were relieved to have happy visitors again!