March 29: No Volcano View? It’s Snow Problem

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What a breathtaking winter wonderland ride through snow covered mountains past the Elk Rock Viewpoint just short of the Johnston Ridge Observatory! Although the last section of road to the overlook of Mount Saint Helens was closed, I was treated instead to one stunning view after another of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains, standing in stark contrast to the white landscape around them.

Heading north to Washington and then East on highway 504, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of vistas given the generally rainy and foggy weather I had encountered so far. But I had a big grin on my face thinking of the delightful curves up ahead as my route east would wind its way along the beautiful banks of the North Fork Toutle River.

Passing Silver Lake on my right, I pulled over to admire the vast expanse of silver-grey water reflecting mirror images of the tan and brown brush on its banks, the dark grey and white clouds above and the evergreen trees in the distance.

Continuing on past the town of Toutle, I stopped to take in the confluence of the north and south forks of the river, both bodies of water merging there amidst a sea of grey and black river rock and partly obscured by the plentiful deciduous trees lining the road.

As I followed the river’s gently winding path, I leaned into the curves, appreciating the white wispy tendrils of fog rising dramatically from the lush evergreen trees covering the foothills around me. The rolling layers of green and brown covered sloping earth almost reached the storm clouds above.  

Rising in elevation, the air became much colder, and snow appeared on the sides of the road and dusted the tops of the trees around me. Looking off to my right, I stopped to appreciate a magnificent valley view with blue streaks of river water, generous patches of red marshy fields, large forests of green trees, and a spunky pop of cobalt blue peering out from the white cloud cover above.

By this time my toes were getting a little numb, but I hardly noticed given the spectacular scenery all around. A magnificent ridge of grey and blue rocky mountains appeared on my right, its dark colors accented by the white ice covering its peaks, the thick snow in the foreground, and the beautiful red and brown branches of deciduous trees mingling with the evergreens in front.

I turned around right before the road closure at the Castle Lake Viewpoint after encountering slush on the surface of the bridge there. Looking up I caught a dazzling view of a frothy waterfall, cascading off the dark stone cliffs to my right past clumps of moss and down into the snow below. What an amazing day on the bike!