Adventure #15: Devil's Elbow

September's hike was at Mt. St. Helens! While I've been to that area before (and even climbed to the summit) I haven't done a lot of hiking! I'm considering a trip to circumnavigate this summer, and I would love to spend some more time in the surrounding areas.

Additionally, now that Cass lives in Portland, it's a good excuse for us to "meet in the middle" and for me to explore more of the southern part of my state. The other reason for this trip was so we could earn our Junior Ranger badges at St. Helens! The last time we visited the observatory, we didn't have time, and just because summer is over, doesn't mean we can't still earn badges!

The Boundary Trail leaves out of Johnston Ridge Observatory, and heads east along the ridge. It offers beautiful views of the mountain (when she's out) and also overlooks the valley of the blast zone, giving great perspective of just how much earth was moved that fateful day in 1980.

Hidden in clouds for most of the day, but this is the best we got!

The very end of Spirit Lake in the distance. Did you know there was a Girl Scout camp here?!

Evidence of Elk! 

Devil's Elbow is about a 4 mile round trip hike, and while there are a few ups and downs, it wasn't a very strenuous hike at all. It used to have a loop around the peak at the end, but nature has done her thing, and washed part of the hill away, so make sure you follow the signs and stay where the trail is safe. We also met a gentleman hiking by himself who we kept leapfrogging all day. It was nice to have another another person out there with us, as we'd been told there were recent sightings of a cougar! As much as I love kitties, I think I will be okay if I never see one of these ones in the wild.

Paintbrush are my favorites!

On our way back in, we decided to stop at a bench that had a great view of the valley to sketch a bit in our Junior Ranger workbooks. Well, my backpack decided to take a bit of a dive, and do some exploring on its own. Right down to the edge of a rather large cliff.

That next step is a doozy.

Thankfully, Cass had some paracord to lash around my waist, and I was able to rescue my bag (with my lunch, wallet, emergency supplies, and car keys). Definitely more adventure than I was anticipating, and a good reminder that accidents can happen to even the most experienced of hikers. Be prepared for anything!

If you look REALLY closely, you can see the white butts of some elk down in the valley too! Glad my negligence (and misbehaving bag) didn't contribute to a poor diet for them! 

We finished our workbooks in the safety (and warmth) of the visitor's center, and were sworn in as Junior Rangers! A great day in all! 

Bonus September Hikes! 

I did two other hikes this September, but as they weren't new locations, and didn't involve new people I decided to include them as "bonus hikes". 

The first was on September 3rd up to Mt. Rainier with Mike to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. We visited 2nd Burroughs, and Mike earned his first Junior Ranger badge! I also got started on the Citizen Ranger program at Rainier, which will earn me a patch! 

My final hike this September was to Reflection Lakes to help scatter my grandparents ashes. It's been years since they've passed, but we finally took the time to find a place for them. We had a beautiful lunch up at the lakes, and then went down to do a small hike in the Longmire area (to complete another part of my Citizen Ranger quest)

Fall was out in full force at Mt. Rainier!