Living on Ft. Lewis when St. Helens erupted in 1980, I remember watching the plume of ash build over the horizon on a clear spring day. We had just washed our car when the ash started covering the Oldsmobile station wagon. Visiting it for the first time since then, I wonder why it has taken so long to visit the half-mountain in our backyard. The park can easily be forgotten with Mt. Rainer and the ocean in close proximity. However, with the volcano still steaming its a natural monument worth seeing up close.

The park is accessible and the route enjoyable with numerous viewpoints to stop and review the changes to the area. Camping can be found at Seaquest State Park, a short drive from I-5 with the town of Castle Rock nearby available for supplies.