Pictures and the video below will take you on a virtual trip around Johnston Ridge Observatory. Enjoy the beauty of Mount St. Helens and its' huge crater!
Address: | 21500 Spirit Lake Highway, Toutle, WA 98649 |
Hours: | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily May 10, 2014-Oct. 26, 2014 |
Fees: | 15 & Under - Free 16+ - $8.00 |
Passes: | National Volcanic Monument Pass |
Information Center: | Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters and Visitor Centers |
OVERVIEW
The Johnston Ridge Observatory is located just in five and a half miles from the crater, which was created after the eruption of the volcano in 1980. The observatory sits at an elevation of 4,314 feet and offers wonderful views of the crater, Mount St. Helens and the surrounding territories.
Johnston Ridge Observatory is located at the end of State Highway 504, and this Visitors Center is the closest place to the mountain that can be reached by car. The observatory features wonderful educational and interpretive displays that tell about the history of the eruption and about human stories that were touched by the blast.
The ridge got its name in honor of David Johnston, the volcanologist of the U.S. Geological Survey who was on duty during the eruption of Mount St. Helens on Sunday, May 18, 1980. The volcanologist was one of 57 people who died on that day. It should be also said that special seismic, deformation monitoring equipment that passes data to the U.S. Geological Survey for analysis, is found here.
The first thing that should be visited in the observatory is a well-equipped theater where visitors watch a film about the eruption. After the educational movie, the screen at the theater rises and a perfect view of Mount St. Helens is opened. The observatory is a perfect place to explore the crater, lava dome, the landside deposit and the pumice plain.
But visitors should not stop here, because the area offers a number of scenic hiking trails with wonderful views of Mount St. Helens, its’ crater and beautiful lakes. Remember that pets are not allowed. The Johnston Ridge Observatory is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May till October, and it is closed in winter.
Directions:
From I-5:
Take Exit 49 in Castle Rock and go east. Johnston Ridge Observatory is located at the end of State Highway 504.
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 01 Johnston Ridge Observatory 01
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 02 Johnston Ridge Observatory 02
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 03 Johnston Ridge Observatory 03
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 04 Johnston Ridge Observatory 04
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 05 Johnston Ridge Observatory 05
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 06 Johnston Ridge Observatory 06
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 07 Johnston Ridge Observatory 07
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 08 Johnston Ridge Observatory 08
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 09 Johnston Ridge Observatory 09
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 10 Johnston Ridge Observatory 10
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 11 Johnston Ridge Observatory 11
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 12 Johnston Ridge Observatory 12
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 13 Johnston Ridge Observatory 13
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 14 Johnston Ridge Observatory 14
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 15 Johnston Ridge Observatory 15
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 16 Johnston Ridge Observatory 16
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 17 Johnston Ridge Observatory 17
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 18 Johnston Ridge Observatory 18
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 19 Johnston Ridge Observatory 19
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 20 Johnston Ridge Observatory 20
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 21 Johnston Ridge Observatory 21
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 22 Johnston Ridge Observatory 22
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 23 Johnston Ridge Observatory 23
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 24 Johnston Ridge Observatory 24
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 25 Johnston Ridge Observatory 25
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 26 Johnston Ridge Observatory 26
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 27 Johnston Ridge Observatory 27
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 28 Johnston Ridge Observatory 28
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 29 Johnston Ridge Observatory 29
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 30 Johnston Ridge Observatory 30
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 31 Johnston Ridge Observatory 31
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 32 Johnston Ridge Observatory 32
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 33 Johnston Ridge Observatory 33
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 34 Johnston Ridge Observatory 34
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 35 Johnston Ridge Observatory 35
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 36 Johnston Ridge Observatory 36
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 37 Johnston Ridge Observatory 37
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 38 Johnston Ridge Observatory 38
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 39 Johnston Ridge Observatory 39
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 40 Johnston Ridge Observatory 40
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 41 Johnston Ridge Observatory 41
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 42 Johnston Ridge Observatory 42
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 43 Johnston Ridge Observatory 43
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 44 Johnston Ridge Observatory 44
- Johnston Ridge Observatory 45 Johnston Ridge Observatory 45
https://beautifulwashington.com/south-cascades/attractions/mount-st-helens-area/164-johnston-ridge-observatory.html?tmpl=component&print=1&layout=default&page=#sigProId6aee5869bf
These pictures were taken on July 17, 2013
Map:
In order to get directions, click on the map below
Photo: Roman Khomlyak
Photo Editing: Pavlo Petryshyn
Information: Marina Petrova