The kids and I decided it was time to head up to Vanson Peak area on Sunday to check snow levels and just to get out for the day. The trail is located southwest of Riffe Lake off of Hiway 12 in Lewis County. Right away it enters the Mount St. Helens National Monument. My brother and I were camped at Deadmans Lake, located another 3 miles farther towards St. Helens, on May 18th 1980. Does that ring a bell to anyone. Now it has been twenty years since we've been back up there and so at the end of July we're going to retrace our days and steps leading up to that spectacular event. We wanted to go up on the aniversary but the snow level prohibited that from happening, so we decided to wait until it was clear to go. I will follow up with a report after the trip to let you know how things went. As far as Sunday's trip, it was nice to go up with my boys and show them where I took their mother on our first backpacking trip some 24 years ago. At that time if somebody would have told me that 24 years later I'd be taking our 15 and 16 year old kids up to the same peak I would have told them they were nuts. It was a wonderful experience.

Steep from the get-go, but worth the trip. At least 2 miles (forgiving false summit of ridge) in hot, dusty, dry (so bring plenty H2O cuz none available). After first 2 miles, trail levels, ridge walk with great views (Jefferson, Hood, St. Helens & northern peaks, Adams, Goat Rocks, Rainier and even Olympics) but windy and not for the sun-o-phobic. Look for huckleberries, bears can't eat 'em all. However, trail drops down other side of ridge into more forgiving (read humidity and bugs), terrain to lake (Deadman's). Try to forgive horsemen and elk prints in lake--best H2O half mile down opposite trail to creek. Fiesty brook trout (but small, so let 'em go). Bugs probably better in a normal year, but skeeters and deer flies in abundance at this time. A bit smoggier on way out, therefore, less views and blisters for those not of tough of foot (read reporter). All in all by those who hiked it, an enjoyable time was had.

I decided to do one of the loop trips on the N side of Mt. St. Helens NM. I parked at the Goat Mtn. trailhead on FR 2612, it was empty on Fri. afternoon. FR 2750 on the L. Riffe side of the NM was gated due to a slide, so getting to the NM via Goat Creek would add 3+ miles to the trip each way. On the advice of the ranger in Randle, I decided to do the 213-213A-217 loop counterclockwise. Trail 213 was in fine shape, having been cleared by horse crews. I only saw hoofprints in the soft, dusty soil, no boot prints at all. After spending the night about 4 miles in at the edge of the burn zone, I headed into the forested NW section of #213. There's some equine-induced mudholes on this section, but they're not bad. Trail 213A climbs steadily, but not steeply over the next 3+ miles to the saddle just to the S of Vanson Pk. It was raining at the time and views were nonexistant so I passed the 1/2 mi. side trip to the top of Vanson Pk. The skies started to clear as I proceeded SE on #217. Deadman Lake was quite a disappointment. Very crowded with lots, and I mean lots, of horse crap everywhere. If/when I do this trip next time, I'll probably check out camping at Deep L., as it appears that few horses go that way. After spending a smelly night camping at Deadman L., I proceeded on #217 around the N end of a prominent crest on the ridge line. At this point, beneath some very impressive basalt cliffs, were two small snow patches, neither of which were difficult to cross. The trail then reentered the burn zone after encountering a few minor blowdowns. Magnificent sweeping views! The SE section of #217 is the ""money shot"" of the whole trip. The next 3+ miles along the ridgeline was spectacular, as the sky was as clear as I'd seen it all summer. From at least 2 vantage points you could see 5 volcanoes (Rainier, Adams, St. Helens, Hood, & Washington). #217 is also very exposed along this section, not a good place to stumble. After the ridge walk, #217 drops precipitously to FR 2612. In short, the SW section of #217 had some of the best views I'd seen in awhile, but you'll pay for it in sweat. Oddly enough, the bugs were not bad throughout the entire loop.

We started up Goat Mountain on Saturday morning under sunny skies. We did have to detour to get there as Road #26 from the south is closed, so you need to follow #25 and then #99 and then turn to the right to Ryan Lake. The first 1 3/4 miles were pretty steep, easy to see how the trail got it's name, but after getting to the top, it was very pleasant running along the ridge and then contouring around the hillsides and finally dropping down to Deadman's Lake. It was beautiful there, a nice sized lake ringed by forest, the water was very warm but very shallow until it dropped off a hundred feet or so off shore. Nice sandy beaches to sun on. The bugs were NOT a problem believe it or not. There was no water on the trail so one needs to carry plenty. The views of the blast zone were remarkable, has to be seen to be appreciated. Mother Nature is really something. The trail is is good condition. The next morning we had to hike out in fog and mist but it is a beautiful hike.