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Hike 41 Harry Ridge from Johnston Ridge Main Menu
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Hike Length: 7.8 miles round trip
Elev. Change: 800' gain
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Type of Hike: In and Out
Season: Late Spring thru Fall
Trail Numbers: #1, 208
Trail Condition: Good
Trail Access: Excellent
Trail Signage: Good
Features: Views, Wildflowers, Lake
Pet Friendly: Not Allowed
Useage: Heavy
Permit: NW FP Required
Horses: No
Mtn Bikes: No

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Summary:
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This hike begins at the same location as the Coldwater Peak hike... at the northeast corner of the Johnston Ridge Visitor Center parking lot. The first 1/4 mile is paved, then becomes well traveled natural surface. The first 2 miles of this hike are heavily hiked by visitors to the Johnston Ridge Visitors Center. These first 2 miles offer incredible views of Mt St Helens to the south and Harry's Ridge to the east, and Coldwater Peak to the north.

At 2.3 miles you will come to the junction of Trail #207 which leads over to Windy Ridge. Keep straight ahead on your Trail #1, which is also called the Boundary Trail. This is the lowest point of the hike, and you will now climb gently toward the junction to the trail that leads to the top of Harry's Ridge.

Just before you each the junction to Trail #208, you will cross a substantial iron bridge. Views along this portion of the trail are mostly of Mt St Helens, Coldwater Peak, and Harry's Ridge. When you reach Trail #208, bear right onto the trail which climbs steeply up Harry's Ridge.

Soon you will be treated to incredible views of Spirit Lake and Mt Adams to the east. As you climb Harry's Ridge the views get better and offer the best possible frontal view of the blast zone of Mt St Helens. This ridge was the bulls eye during the cataclysmic event of May 1980. The blast not only removed the timber on this ridge, but it even removed the soil. What is there now is the ash and pumice left over from the explosion.

At the top you will find an old propane tank that was once used to fuel the equipment that was monitoring the mountains behavior. You can see the visitors center on Johnston Ridge from here too.


The following images are random samples of the wildflowers found in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
Mouseover image to view flower name, and click on image to jump to flower guide.

Directions:

From Seattle, WA
Drive south on I-5 to the junction of State Road 504. Exit the freeway, and turn left (east) onto SR504 and follow it east. At five miles you will pass the Silver Lake Visitor Center and in another 38 miles you will come to the junction to SR504 E. Bear right onto SR504 East and follow it another 8 miles to the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
(closed in winter)

From Portland, OR
Drive north on I-5 to the junction of Washington State Road 504. Exit the freeway, and turn right (east) onto SR504 and follow it east. At five miles you will pass the Silver Lake Visitor Center and in another 38 miles you will come to the junction to SR504 E. Bear right onto SR504 East and follow it another 8 miles to the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
(closed in winter)


Click on the link below to see a map taking you to the trailhead.

Map Directions


Vicinity Map


To contact the Gifford Pinchot NF for current information: Click Here.



A Virtual Hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
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Click for PDF