The Big Bang: Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic MonumentTour

Hosted by Dick Ford

Offered Wednesday, October 15 and Sunday, October 19

This tour will depart the Hilton at 8am and return at 5pm

Cost: $85pp

Includes transporation, lunch, admission fees

At 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980, like a long-slumbering dragon awakening in a fit of temper, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake rumbled about one mile below the earth in the belly of Mt. St. Helens. What followed was an apocalyptic spewing of devastation unparalleled in modern times, unleashing the energy equivalent of 27,000 Hiroshima-sized nuclear weapons. When it was done, the eruption and subsequent events had killed 57 people and nearly 7,000 big game animals, destroyed 200 homes, 47 bridges and 185 miles of highways, and damaged or destroyed more than 4 billion board feet of timber. It was the most deadly and costly volcanic eruption in the history of the United States.

Now, 28 years later, you will see the awesome power of nature – both to destroy and to restore. Your first stop is the Charles W. Bingham Forest Learning Center, located inside the blast zone. You’ll learn about forest recovery, reforestation and conservation of forest resources. You’ll see spectacular views of the mountain, elk and replanted forests. And you’ll hike a short trail through the planted forest and learn about biodiversity.

At lunch, we’ll dine at the Hoffstadt Bluffs restaurant, with spectacular Mt. St. Helens views, and featuring a deluxe buffet-style deli menu – including, of course, its famous volcano BBQ chicken and ribs.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Johnston Ridge Observatory (JRO). Here, you’ll get within five miles of the volcano and see spectacular views of the still-steaming lava dome, crater, pumice plain and landslide deposit. On your return south to Portland, you’ll pass through stunning landscapes, made only more spectacular by your knowledge of the terrible beauty of that spring day nearly 30 years earlier when the dragon awoke.  Requires moderate walking.  Limited to 55 participants.

Tentative Schedule

8:00 a.m. - Leave Hilton Hotel in Portland Oregon

9:30 a.m. - Arrive Weyerhaeuser Forest Learning Center

11:30 a.m. - Leave Forest Learning Center for Hoffstadt Bluffs Restaurant

11:45 a.m. – Arrive at Hoffstadt Bluffs Restaurant, lunch

12:45 p.m. - Depart for Johnston Ridge Observatory

1:15 p.m. - Arrive Johnston Ridge Observatory

3:00 p.m. - Leave for Hilton Hotel in Portland

5:00 p.m. - Arrive at Hilton Hotel