Coldwater Peak — Sunday, Jul. 8, 2018

South Cascades > Mount St. Helens

Started the hike at 8:30am out of Johnston Ridge and returned at 2:30pm. It took my hiking partner and I about 3 h to get to the peak and 2.5 h to return. We shared the peak with three other hikers around noon. Overall, a pretty solitary hike until you get back to Boundary Trail. Like all hikes out of Johnston Ridge, there is virtually no shade (except for the keyhole halfway between the Harry’s Ridge turnoff and the Peak). To safely enjoy this hike, please BRING PLENTY OF WATER and SUN PROTECTION. ***The Observatory had no drinking water available, citing unsafe human consumption conditions at water fountains and bathrooms.*** Be prepared to bring your own or buy from the parking lot trailer. I don’t own any, but I think hiking poles would be helpful for grip on the dusty ash as well as save you from joint pain on the way down. Overall, this hike was gorgeous: wildflowers were in bloom, we could see Tahoma (Rainier), Pahto (Adams), Wy’east (Hood) and Loowit (Helens) on our way to the peak, and we watched Loowit intermittently steaming during our peak lunch.