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Rugged and revealing: Much to see on hike to still-closed Mount St. Helens’ Johnston Ridge

The facility remains closed, but hikers can explore Boundary Trail

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Hikers get ready for adventure at the spot where Boundary Trail no. 1 veers away from the Hummocks loop trail. Mount St. Helens looms in the distance. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Hikers get ready for adventure at the spot where Boundary Trail no. 1 veers away from the Hummocks loop trail. Mount St. Helens looms in the distance. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Tall wooden poles dot the landscape around Mount St. Helens. They help hikers stick to trails and help scientists track erosion on the changing landscape. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Tall wooden poles dot the landscape around Mount St. Helens. They help hikers stick to trails and help scientists track erosion on the changing landscape. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Mother-and-daughter hikers Maria and Martha Panawski of Vancouver enjoy the scenery as they ascend the Boundary Trail toward Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Mother-and-daughter hikers Maria and Martha Panawski of Vancouver enjoy the scenery as they ascend the Boundary Trail toward Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Hikers who’ve made the climb to Johnston Ridge relax in an outdoor amphitheater facing the volcano. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Hikers who’ve made the climb to Johnston Ridge relax in an outdoor amphitheater facing the volcano. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Helpful signs and kiosks at Johnston Ridge tell the story of Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Helpful signs and kiosks at Johnston Ridge tell the story of Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Helpful signs and kiosks at Johnston Ridge tell the story of Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Helpful signs and kiosks at Johnston Ridge tell the story of Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Downed trees and dead stumps give rise to colorful new life on the slopes near Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Downed trees and dead stumps give rise to colorful new life on the slopes near Mount St. Helens. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

So many flowers, so many colors, so many sights on the hike to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

So many flowers, so many colors, so many sights on the hike to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

So many flowers, so many colors, so many sights on the hike to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

So many flowers, so many colors, so many sights on the hike to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is the same as ever, except that it’s closed — likely until 2027. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is the same as ever, except that it’s closed — likely until 2027. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is the same as ever, except that it’s closed — likely until 2027. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

The Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens is the same as ever, except that it’s closed — likely until 2027. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Paula and Erik Del Angel, visitors from San Antonio, Texas, ascend the trail to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

Paula and Erik Del Angel, visitors from San Antonio, Texas, ascend the trail to Johnston Ridge. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

George and Emmet Fornes take in a huge view of the Toutle River Valley on their way up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. (Photos by Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

George and Emmet Fornes take in a huge view of the Toutle River Valley on their way up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory. (Photos by Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

A metal pedestal near the Johnston Ridge Observatory reveals distances to other natural wonders. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

A metal pedestal near the Johnston Ridge Observatory reveals distances to other natural wonders. (Scott Hewitt/The Columbian)

MOUNT ST. HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT — We can’t let minor obstacles like destructive landslides and locked doors stop us from exploration and adventure, can we?

That’s how a friend and I felt about taking on the rugged and revealing Boundary Trail no. 1, which approaches the remote Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens from the west. Johnston Ridge is the closest visitor center to the volcano, which made history in May 1980 as it erupted, imploded and unleashed the largest debris slide ever witnessed by humans.

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