Mount St. Helen's in Washington, October 2023

	After leaving BC and Canada, we crossed into the U.S. from Osoyoos, B.C. to Oroville, Washington. On our way to Mount St. Helen's, we pass by this incredible view of Mount Ranier.
	I have wanted to visit Mount St. Helen's for a long time now, but we are never in Washington, although here we were passing through on our way to California! However, a scan on the Mount St. Helen's National Volcanic Monument website indicated that the Visitor Center and the best two areas from which to view the crater were all closed due to mud slides closing the roads. Not to be discouraged, we camped in the town of Cougar, and drove up National Forest Road 83 to the Lava Canyon Trailhead. Just before the parking lot, we scooped this view of the southeast side of Mount St. Helen's. The eruption in 1980 was on the north side, so we are unable to see the crater that was formed. There is also a nice view from the Lahar Viewpoint Parking Lot.
	The Muddy River from a bridge on the Lava Canyon Trail. This was a nice, easy trail to hike, although the suspension bridge lower in the gorge was washed out and closed, making the loop hike impossible.
	Ape Cave is a lava tube, worthy of exploration. We purchased tickets in advance online. The cave was created about 2,000 years ago from an eruption near the summit of Mount St. Helen's.
	Marilyn taking in the sheer size of Ape Cave. Hard to believe that 2,000 years ago, this tube was full of fluid basalt flowing like a river. I highly recommend this self-guided hike. There is also a nice gift shop on-site, and a volunteer who is very knowledgeable about the cave and can answer almost any question.