15 miles of hiking • 3000' elevation gain •
With the sudden onset of summer weather, we decided to go snowshoeing - go figure! It was an unbelievably beautiful day up in the blast zone. So much so, we both came home with rather nasty sunburns, despite being at least somewhat cautious to avoid them. The views and fresh mountain air more than made up for that, though.
Started from the Hummocks trailhead around 9:30, or so, and it was already shirt-sleeve weather. No snow down here. Lots of frogs and ducks in the ponds. Saw a couple elk herds as we climbed Johnston Ridge. Decided to detour across the (snow-covered) ridgetop, rather than follow the Boundary Trail across the sketchy south slope. Arrived at JRO to find it completely plowed out, all the way to the front door! Sure wish they'd take down the gate.
Enjoyed a first lunch at JRO, considering what lay ahead. Decided this was the place to strap on the snowshoes. The trek along the ridge to the Devil's Elbow turnoff was beautiful. No way possible to stay on the trail from that point, so we just went cross country over the line of hummocks separating us from the Truman Trail junction side of the ridge. Very slow-going, due to the heavy show and intense heat.
Our original thought was to get up to Saint Helens Lake, then return via South Coldwater Ridge. But it was just too late in the day, and the snow was softening up far too much, to make that realistic. So we decided to scale Harry's Ridge instead, and take in the views from there. A helicopter made a number of passes by, including a landing or two on the ridge!
Spirit Lake was gorgeous! Not a ripple to be seen. Just a mirrored reflection of the hills beyond. The ridge had a perilous cornice along its entire length, and the view was great where we attained it, so we didn't continue all the way to the top.
Returned along a similar route, but diverted about halfway back to plunge back down to SR-504 for the final leg of the journey. We'd both "had it up to here!" with the snow conditions at this point. Took the opportunity to view the newly re-opened Spirit Lake drainage tunnel. Boy, was it gushing!
Great day, in a great place, with great company! :-)
