Days available: Tuesday or Friday or Sunday
Duration: 8.0 hrs
Departure: 8:00 am until 6:00 pm (May 15, thru Oct. 30, 2012)
Price: $100 per person
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On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale. Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown down or buried beneath volcanic deposits.
At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond. The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments.
ITINERARY
8:00 AM DEPART FROM PORTLAND
Our tour guides will pick you up at Central Libary Main entry or designated hotels in the Portland area.
9:15 AM ARRIVE AT MOUNT ST. HELENS VISITOR CENTER
The Mount St. Helens Silver Lake Visitor Center is an excellent place to begin the “eruption experience”. The attractive, lodge-style facility includes exhibits, trails, and a 16-minute movie about the eruption. A walk-through model of Mount St. Helens gives visitors a chance to experience volcanology from the inside out.
- Nature Trail – The nature trail is a mile long trail along Silver Lake, with boardwalks over wetlands, where a variety of migratory birds may be seen, with picturesque views of Mount St. Helen and the surrounding areas.
- Movie – a powerful and moving 16-minute film detailing the events around the May 18, 1980 eruption.
- Exhibits - provide information about volcanoes, comparing Mt. St. Helens to other volcanic eruptions through history.
- SILVER LAKE ROOM –
10:15 AM DEPART MOUNT ST. HELENS VISITOR CENTER
10:45 PM ARRIVE AT ECO PARK RESORT
The closest accommodations to the Blast Zone! Eco Park Resort is a 90-acre resort with log cabins and things to do include: helicopter rides, guided horseback tours, full-service restaurant, and café.
- Wind Down – put your feet up, relax, and enjoy a delicious desert.
- HISTORY FROM A LODGE OWNERS PERSPECTIVE – Before, during, and after: 30 years in the making.
12:15 PM DEPART ECO PARK RESORT, TO PORTLAND
12:30 PM ARRIVE AT HOFFSTADT BLUFFS VISITOR CENTER
The Hoffstadt Bluffs Visitor Center features a full service restaurant, gift shop, exhibits, meeting and reception facilities, helicopter tours, a magnificent viewing deck, and a memorial grove dedicated to the victims of the May 18, 1980 eruption.
- Remodeled – The beautiful lodge-style structure was built in 1996, using massive timbers taken from the old Long-Bell mill in Longview. The facility was renovated and re-opened in 2009.
- Unique Structure – one of the largest post and beam structures on the West Coast
- Specifics – Fire Mountain Grill, Helicopter Tours, Memorial Grove, Exhibits, Meeting Space, Weddings/Receptions
12:30 PM DEPART HOFFSTADT BLUFFS VISITOR CENTER
12:45 PM ARRIVAL FOREST LEARNING CENTER
The Forest Learning center is open to the public from May to October and is free of charge. Walk through a life-like forest, and experience the eruption chamber. Learn about forest recovery, reforestation, and conservation. See spectacular views of the Mountain, elk, and replanted forests. Hike a short trail through the planted forest and learn about biodiversity.
- Exhibits – provide updates and illustrate how forests are managed today to ensure that there will be forests in the future.
- “The Forest That Was” - sights, sounds, feel of the forest that was right before the 1980 eruption.
- “Eruption Chamber” – this program makes you feel as though you are an eyewitness to the blast.
- “Salvage, Recovery, and Reforestation” – destruction caused by the eruption, and the return of life.
- “Virtual Chopper Tour” – sit in a helicopter, view Mount St. Helens and surrounding landscapes.
- “Forests Tomorrow” – see how we manage forests to protect the habitat.
- “Forests Always” – appreciate the resiliency of forests at Mount St. Helens – NEW!–
1:30 PM DEPART FOR FOREST LEARNING CENTER
2:00 PM ARRIVE AT JOHNSTON RIDGE OBSERVATORY
Johnston Ridge Observatory is named for volcanologist David Johnston, who was camped at the site when Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980. His final words – called in via shortwave radio – were …“Vancouver, Vancouver, this is it!” Johnston’s body has never been found. Johnston Ridge Observatory is the crown jewel of Southwest Washington and the closest view to the crater of Mount St. Helens. Spectacular views, awesome hiking trails and breathtaking photo opportunities await you
- Movie – “Message from the Mountain” eruption movie.
- Interpretive Talk/Displays – portray the sequence of geologic events that transformed the landscape and opened up a new era in the science of monitoring an active volcano and forecasting eruptions.
- Closest View to Mount St. Helens – Visitors can expect to see views of the lava dome, crater, pumice plain, and the landslide deposit.
- US FOREST SERVICE STAFF RANGER TALK –
3:30 PM DEPARTS JOHNSTON RIDGE OBSERVATORY
3:45 PM ARRIVES AT HUMMOCKS TRAIL/COLDWATER CREEK
Hummocks – The trail loops 2.3 easy miles through mounds of debris shaped by erosion. In the hummocks you can inspect the multicolored volcanic debris, and enjoy views of Mount St. Helens and the Toutle River. Ponds that have formed between the Hummocks are host to new life: there are wildflowers, frogs, deer, elk, and coyote.
- Coldwater – Located 45 miles east of Castle Rock in the heart of the blast zone. Experience the effect that the May 18, 1980 eruption had on the Coldwater Valley. Walk on the .25 miles “Birth of a Lake” interpretive trail, and enjoy close-up views of this 20 year old lake. Facilities include picnic tables, restrooms, and fish cleaning station, boat-launch, and hands-on discovery area.
4:15 PM DEPART HUMMOCKS TRAIL/COLDWATER CREEK
6:00 PM ARRIVE IN PORTLAND
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Group Rates: Group rates for 6 or more people available.
Tour Departure/Pick Up: Complimentary pick up from select area hotels. Customers will be notified prior to any cancellation 24 hours in advance when possible.
Tour price Includes: Pick up at select hotels, transportation, tour guide and All applicable entry fees, unless otherwise stated and lunch not included.
Requirements: Tours require 4 person minimum for confirmation. Please contact us for current status of tour.
Payment: On-line reservations can be made using a credit or debit card. Payment will be processed immediately to secure your reservation. Payment on day of pick up will not guarantee your reservation.
America’s Hub World Tours
* Photos courtesy of Eco Park Resort/Dawn & Mark Smith/ Crater man “Charlie Anderson”*
