#MSHNVM
LightNews LightNews
karlpeterson.bsky.social
On the #edge of creation, looking into and far beyond the mile-and-a-half wide crater, on a most beautiful Saturday afternoon (1/30/2015).

#BlueSkyArtShow #Scenery #Landscape #Nature #Photography #Hiking #Washington #MSHNVM #Volcano #MtStHelens
Panoramic view from the south side of Mt St Helens crater rim looking north. Spirit Lake in the mid-ground and Mt Rainier in the distance.
April 18, 2026 at 5:42 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
February 7, 1975.
The blissful ignorance bubble finally burst.

In Science, Crandell, Mullineaux, and Meyer Rubin warned that St. Helens was the Cascade peak most likely to erupt next, perhaps before the end of the century.

Headlines in the NY Times, Seattle P-I, and the Oregonian raised awareness.
Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake Reflection – A color photograph of Mount St. Helens before the 1980 eruption, its symmetrical, snow-covered peak reflecting on the still waters of Spirit Lake. A low cloud partially obscures the mountain’s slopes, and the lake is bordered by a dense evergreen forest. MSHNVM Archives/CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Feb. 7, 1975) – A bold headline reads, "St. Helens May Erupt... Soon?" The article warns of a potential eruption within 100 years, citing a newly published study by USGS geologists. The text references previous volcanic activity and the quiet period that had persisted since 1857. New York Times article, Feb. 25, 1975 – A newspaper clipping with the headline "Volcano in Washington State Termed 'Violent'" by Walter Sullivan. The article discusses USGS scientists’ findings that Mount St. Helens has been more active than other Cascade volcanoes and could erupt by the end of the century. The text highlights past eruptions and the potential hazards. The Sunday Oregonian (April 27, 1975) – A feature article titled "Will the Ice Cream Cone Melt?" refers to Mount St. Helens’ smooth, youthful slopes and discusses its history of eruptions. A striking aerial photograph shows the peak’s icy, conical summit, emphasizing its active volcanic status.
March 19, 2026 at 7:16 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
Logging also carved deeper.

Weyerhaeuser expanded into old-growth near Castle, Coldwater, and Jackson Creeks and the Green River north-northwest of the mountain. Conservationists grew concerned.

Where would it end? Did Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials have nature's best interests in mind?
Logging at Goat Mountain, c. 1967 – A black-and-white photograph of a logging operation at Goat Mountain, showing a steep slope covered in felled logs. A cable system is visible overhead, with logging equipment in the foreground. MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. A black-and-white aerial photograph published on page 52 of The Daily News, Longview, Wash., Monday, May 18, 1981, showing Mount St. Helens before the eruption with its symmetrical snow-covered summit rising above densely forested lower slopes. Spirit Lake is visible in the right middle ground, its irregular shoreline and dark water surrounded by old-growth forest. River drainages and snow-patched clearings are visible on the western slopes in the left foreground, with the Cascade Range receding into haze in the background. The caption reads: "Spirit Lake, nestled along the northern face of Mount St. Helens, was a magic place for visitors before it was devastated by the May 18 eruption." November 21, 1969, Longview Daily News – A newspaper clipping featuring a letter to the editor titled "Preserve Our Forests" by Noel McRae of Kelso, advocating for the protection of the Mount St. Helens region from excessive logging and development.
March 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
By the 1960s, growing pains had hit Mount St. Helens. More access meant more visitors. More visitors meant questions. What do we do with all these people?

Some facilities, like the Forest Service public campground next to Truman's lodge, were overwhelmed.
Full Spirit Lake Campground, c. 1967 – A black-and-white image showing cars parked at the entrance of a campground, with a sign reading “Campground Full.” Tall trees line the road leading to the lake. MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. Longview Daily News, June 18, 1969 – A newspaper article featuring Mount St. Helens District Ranger Kelly Coon discussing the need for enforcing camping regulations at Spirit Lake and the challenges of maintaining facilities due to financial constraints. The Columbian, August 25, 1965 – A newspaper article discussing a potential land exchange that would expand Spirit Lake recreation areas, including details on a peninsula campsite and shoreline access. A waterskier is pulled across Spirit Lake with Mount St. Helens in the background. C. 1970s. Unknown photographer. Sourced from the CrystallineHFA archives on DeviantArt.
March 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
May 1952: Young climber Art Jessett fell into a crevasse and died. A bronze plaque in his memory at Timberline warned: "A seemingly easy mountain can be so very cruel. Beauty and danger are constant companions in mountain adventure."

Others would suffer tragedies great and small in decades to come.
A glacier-covered slope of Mount St. Helens, showing crevasses and ice formations cascading down the mountainside under a clear blue sky. The rugged terrain highlights the mountain's icy conditions before the 1980 eruption. C. 1950 | MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. The image is a black and white newspaper page from "The Oregonian," dated Tuesday, May 20, 1952. The main headline reads, "Rescuers Battle Mountain Storm, Recover Youth's Body From Fissure." A large photo on the right depicts a group of people surrounding a body covered by a blanket on the ground. An older man stands reading from a book, likely a Bible, while others stand with bowed heads, indicating a solemn moment. Various articles and columns are positioned around the image, including one about a mountain rescue and another discussing wholesale food prices. The image depicts a black-and-white page from the October 27, 1952 edition of The Oregon Daily Journal. At the top, a bold, large headline reads, "BODY OF YOUNG CLIMBER FOUND ON MT. ST. HELENS" with a sub-heading stating, "TODAY: Ballots Ready for County Voters." To the right, there is another headline, "Youth Dies After Leaving Companions," followed by a news article detailing the incident involving a 17-year-old climber. A large photograph shows stacks of bundled newspapers piled high, likely referring to the ballots mentioned in the sub-heading. Below the photo is a caption explaining the stacks as official and sample ballots prepared for the upcoming election. San Diego Union, April 28, 1975 Action photograph showing two Skamania County sheriff's rescue team members on snowmobiles moving across snowy terrain with sparse evergreen trees in background. Caption: "Missing Climbers Sought. Members of the Skamania County sheriff's rescue team use snowmobiles as they head toward Forsyth Glacier on Mt. St. Helens, Wash. They were looking for survivors of an avalanche that swept down on a university climbing class. However, snow and winds halted the search last night. (Story, Page A-1)" UPI Telephoto.
March 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
The Timberline road opened in 1962—five mi. from Spirit Lake to the mountain's base. You could now drive from Castle Rock right to Mount St. Helens. A boon for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Forest Service celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 150 guests stood in the rain as a drum corps played.
Article from the Longview Daily News dated August 16, 1962, titled "Dedication of Timberline Road Scheduled Sept. 22," announcing the dedication ceremony for the newly constructed five-mile road from Spirit Lake to timberline on Mount St. Helens, highlighting dignitaries attending and planned recreational developments. Newspaper photo from the Longview Daily News, October 1, 1962, showing Congresswoman Julia Butler Hansen standing outdoors at the dedication ceremony of the Mt. St. Helens Timberline Road. Hansen wears a light-colored coat and smiles toward the camera, with attendees and members of the Longview-Kelso Area Drum and Bugle Corps, directed by Bobby Briggs, visible in the background. The event took place near the timberline in rainy weather. Aerial photo from the September 19, 1962, edition of The Columbian, showing the newly constructed Spirit Lake to Mount St. Helens timberline road. The paved parking area is visible at the right, with the turnaround and picnic area planned at the left. Color photo from 1970 showing a gathering of vintage automobiles from an old-time car club parked along the Timberline Loop at Mount St. Helens, with the snow-capped peak in the background. Source: MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt.
March 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
1900-1980 (II)
By 1950, Spirit Lake was thriving.

Harry Truman's Mount St. Helens Lodge on the SW shore. Jack Nelson's Harmony Falls Resort. Forest Service campgrounds. Private camps. And Spirit Lake Lodge, built on the old Lange homestead by the North Fork Toutle.

But time doesn't stand still.
A black-and-white newspaper photograph from the Longview Daily News, dated July 20, 1966, captures Mount St. Helens towering over Spirit Lake and a row of cabins along the shoreline. The image prominently features Truman’s Lodge, nestled at the lake’s edge, with the snow-covered slopes of the volcano in the background. The caption describes the mountain as one of the most beautiful in Southwest Washington and highlights Spirit Lake’s popularity for picnicking and camping. Photo credit: Jan Fardell. A man and his dog above Spirit Lake north of Mount St. Helens in the Mount Margaret Backcountry c. 1950s. Likely taken by Ray Atkeson. MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. A snow-covered Spirit Lake Lodge with Mount St. Helens in the background. A sign says "Souvenirs Gifts" on the front. Bradley Gustafson / 1980 Eruption of Mount St. Helens. A mother and child sit on a bench with a picnic basket, gazing at Mount St. Helens rising above the waters of Spirit Lake. A wooden dock extends into the lake, emphasizing the serene and picturesque setting. The bright colors and composition suggest a mid-century travel or outdoor recreation scene. Source: Mount St. Helens before 1980 Facebook page.
March 19, 2026 at 1:12 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
Lodges and resorts multiplied around Spirit Lake in the 1920s and 30s. Harmony Falls Resort and Mount St. Helens Lodge opened at Spirit Lake, besting Lange's location by a few miles.

Traditions were forged as YMCA groups, Scouts, and families returned season after season for tranquility.
A family on the porch of a cabin at Harmony Falls Resort, the namesake falls behind and above the cabin. Circa 1949. The black and white image depicts a wooden cabin set amongst tall trees, suggesting a forest setting. The cabin is single-story with a sloped roof and multiple windows. In front of the cabin, three adults and a child are standing on a wooden porch. The person on the left is holding the child. The structure of the porch includes railings, and some plants and logs are visible in the foreground. Source: Mount St. Helens before 1980 FB page. A person rowing a boat on Spirit Lake with Mount St. Helens in the background. C. 1930, unknown photographer. Source: MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. The image is a vintage newspaper page titled "Spirit Lake—A Boys' Paradise," published in the May 30, 1926 edition of The Sunday Oregonian. At the top, there is a large photograph of Spirit Lake with a prominent view of Mount St. Helens in the background, surrounded by forested hills. Below this, there are several smaller, individually framed photographs depicting various scenes and activities around Spirit Lake. These include images of a group of boys, a person sledding on a snowy slope, a house by the lake labeled "N.C. Nielsen's cabin on lake," a general view of camp facilities with log structures, and a map labeled "Birdseye View of Camp Site." In the lower section, there are photos of boys grouped together and another of the lake's waterfront with a dock and boats. The layout is artistic, with each picture enclosed in stylized frames. The black and white photograph portrays Mount St. Helens in the distance with its snow-capped peak dominating the upper part of the image, c. early 1930s. The mountain is surrounded by a dense forest of tall coniferous trees forming a dark silhouette against the lighter background of the sky. These trees line both sides of the image, creating a natural framing effect. In the foreground, Spirit Lake is visible, reflecting the inverted image of the mountain and trees on its calm surface, enhancing the symmetry and contrast in the scene. The reflection adds depth to the image, with the clear demarcation of elements above and in the mirror-like water below. The overall composition is serene and balanced. Mount St. Helens before 1980 FB Page.
March 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
Lange had come to Spirit Lake in the 1880s in search of gold. The boom ended. Mining was out. So he pivoted—fought the government for his homestead claim in the shadow of the north face, won in 1914.

Then he built a lodging house. Now you could travel to St. Helens and enjoy four walls and a roof.
The Lange Homestead and "Hotel," taken sometime between 1910-1940. MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. R.C. Lange. A black-and-white photograph captioned in cursive script "Homestead — Mt. St. Helens, Wash." with photographer's credit "Christian W-1183" in the lower right. A small dark wooden cabin or outbuilding sits in the middle ground, partially obscured by a mixed stand of conifers and broadleaf trees. Mount St. Helens rises in the background, its snow-covered upper slopes and glaciated flanks visible above the treeline beneath a partly cloudy sky. An open grassy clearing occupies the foreground. The Lange Trading Post, located near the eventual site of Harry Truman's Mount St. Helens Lodge on the southern shore of Spirit Lake. 1910s? MSHNVM Archives / CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt.
March 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
But there was a limit. Six miles east of Mount St. Helens lay the go-no-further line where grant lands ended.

North, east, and south of the volcano, the U.S. Forest Service focused on a different objective than the titans: conservation. In 1907, a ranger station was established at Spirit Lake.
A person sits in either a boat or on a log on Spirit Lake as Mount St. Helens sits in the background. ~1912, Lauman. The image depicts a rustic, wooden ranger station at Spirit Lake, which is part of the U.S. Forest Service's Columbia National Forest. The house has a steeply pitched, shingled roof with two prominent chimneys. The exterior walls are made of wooden shingles, matching the roof, and there is a stone chimney on the right side of the house. A small, multi-paned window is visible on the front, above a wooden door. Near the base of the house, there is a pile of firewood and wooden boards leaning against the wall. Tall evergreen trees surround the building, providing a forested background that suggests a remote, natural setting. The image has a sepia tone, giving it a vintage appearance. Taken from the MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. A view of Mount St. Helens from Mount Margaret. Taken from the MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt.
March 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
September 1891: Gold was discovered near St. Helens. Well, it wasn't gold—just pyrite and magnetite. Nobody checked.

Prospectors flooded in anyway. By 1895, over 500 had staked claims. The Cispus mining district was born.

But as commerce grew, so did the interest of the recreationally curious.
Four miners at the Portland Mine near Mount St. Helens, c. 1904. Taken from the MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. The Sweden Mine, located above Spirit Lake north of Mount St. Helens. Pictured in 1904. Taken from the MSHNVM Archives hosted by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. Polar Star Mine (circa 1910) was typical of the many mining properties under development in the southern Cascades at the turn of the century. This area was within the lateral blast zone in 1980. From: Moen, W. S. (1977). St. Helens and Washougal Mining Districts of the Southern Cascades of Washington (Information Circular No. 60). Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Earth Resources. The image is a black and white newspaper clipping from the September 2, 1891 edition of The Spokane Review. It features an article titled "Gold in the Cascades," which reports on a significant gold discovery. The text is arranged in a single column with varying font sizes, emphasizing the main headings. The headline is bold and prominent. The article details a successful gold prospecting expedition by C. M. Fowler and H. C. Scrofford near Mount St. Helens. It reports the challenges in accessing the location, the efforts in extracting samples, and the results of the assays, highlighting the presence of gold and silver in the ore.
March 18, 2026 at 2:53 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
In a Cowlitz legend, Lawetlat'la was one of two wives of txma (Mount Rainier). Jealous of the other wife—Klickitat (Mount Adams)—she erupted and knocked the head off txma. Ouch.

The lake at her feet was feared. A land for the dead. Waters holding spirits of those who'd betrayed their people.
Aerial view to the northeast of Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier. Skamania, Lewis and Pierce Counties, Washington. September 1964. Mullineaux/USGS. Early 20th-century postcard of Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake. Copyright Cross & Dimmitt. View of Spirit Lake from shore, c. 1978. Tangney/MSHNVM Archives (via CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt)
March 18, 2026 at 2:53 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
That's right—Mount St. Helens did not erupt from its summit during this time.

As it had many times before, magma forced its way through the volcano's structure and out through its slopes.

The Goat Rocks dome on the northwestern face became a defining feature on the pre-1980 peak.
Goat Rocks lava dome on the north face of Mount St. Helens with evidence of avalanches on near and far slopes. C. 1980, photographer unknown (possibly Jim Nieland). Pulled from MSHNVM archive collection by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt. A climber traverses the upper portion of Goat Rocks lava dome. Wishbone and Loowit glacier split is in the middle background, with "The Boot" rock feature at the top right. C. 1978, photographer unknown (possibly Jim Nieland). Pulled from MSHNVM archive collection by CrystallineHFA on DeviantArt.
March 17, 2026 at 7:03 PM
mountsthelens1980.bsky.social
It wasn't exactly a new battleground (or Battle Ground... folks).

Even before 1980, preservationists—alarmed at the voracity of logging on Forest Service and private lands near the mountain—had called for the protection of Mount St. Helens.

Then the volcano woke up, and the landscape changed.
A color landscape photo shows Mount St. Helens in 1979, before the 1980 eruption. The volcano rises in the distance with broad snowfields on its upper slopes, framed by dark, forested ridges. In the foreground, a deep blue lake curves along the base of a densely wooded hillside, with the shoreline and tree line reflected in the calm water under a clear blue sky. Source: CrystallineHFA, “Mt. St. Helens – View From Mt. Margaret (1979),” published June 29, 2015; artist/photographer unknown (MSHNVM Historic Archives). A black-and-white newspaper clipping titled “Monument for St. Helens heard by 35.” The short article says a proposal to make the Mount St. Helens area a national monument was presented to a group of about 35 to 40 people meeting at the Monticello Hotel. It identifies Noel McRae, chairman of the Mount St. Helens Protective Association, and says Russ Jolley made the presentation. The clipping describes the proposed monument’s boundaries, including areas from Ape Caves north of the Mount Margaret area and mentions Green River, Goat Ridge, and Vanson Peak. The Daily News (Longview), Oct. 29, 1977. A black-and-white newspaper clipping headlined “Mount St. Helens as scenic area disputed,” with a smaller line above it reading “Presentation draws ire.” The article, by Larry Lange of The Columbian, describes a contentious public meeting in the Fort Vancouver Regional Library basement where proposals to preserve land around Mount St. Helens sparked arguments among environmentalists, timber interests, and snowmobilers. The text mentions a slide presentation by Russ Jolley of the Mount St. Helens Protective Association and describes shouting exchanges over access, logging, and how the area should be managed. The Columbian, Nov. 17, 1977.
February 11, 2026 at 11:46 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Today's #BlueSkyArtShow theme is #FavoriteThings; for me, it's damn hard to beat a birthday hike to somewhere incredibly special. Celebrating the 58th trip, atop my backyard #volcano.

#Donuts #MSHNVM #MSH #MtStHelens #Hiking #lavadome #landscapephotography #eastcoastkin #photographersofbluesky
A maple bar with two candles in it, held up over the rim of Mt St Helens crater, to commemorate a birthday celebration atop the world.
December 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Where the newest earth on Earth meets the sky!

#BlueSkyArtShow #sky #MSHNVM #MSH #MtStHelens #Hiking #volcano #lavadome
Panoramic shot on the rim of the crater atop Mount St Helens. Mounts Rainier and Adams are visible on the horizon, poking up through billowy clouds.
December 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Descending into the clouds on Mt St Helens.

#BlueSkyArtShow #sky #MSHNVM #MSH #MtStHelens #Hiking #volcano
Hiker/climber descending the snowy slope down towards angry clouds below on Mt St Helens.
December 6, 2025 at 1:56 PM
andyzahn.bsky.social
A6 #Parkchat
#1. Fox in MRNP - it's been pinned to the top of my Twitter/Bluesky profile for 5 years. bsky.app/profile/andy...
#2. Family of black bears in at MSHNVM.
#3. Moose in Grand Teton NP.
andyzahn.bsky.social Andy Zahn @andyzahn.bsky.social · Nov 7
I had this photo pinned to the top of my Twitter feed for four years because whenever I look at it I remember happier times. Those memories grow more precious to me with every passing day.
Cascade Red Fox on a snowbank.
June 19, 2025 at 1:34 AM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Happy #TACOtuesday! 🌮

#DonTaco #WeakSauce #photography #nature #landscape #volcano #MSHNVM #hiking #traillunch
Lunch with a View! Taco Bell breakfast burrito with fire sauce on the crater rim of Mt St Helens.
June 4, 2025 at 12:24 AM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Looked like a conga line of #climbers up the last 1200' to the crater rim on #MtStHelens on the first permit-free day of fall. Normally well after the snow's started flying, the weather was glorious. 🌞

11.1.2020

#BlueSkyArtShow #Lines #nature #photography #landscape #volcano #hiking #MSHNVM
Snaking line of climbers ascending the final stretch up to the crater rim on Mount St Helens.
May 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Snags along the shoreline, and their #reflections in the still water, reminiscent of a waveform audio graph.

#BlueSkyArtShow #Lines #photography #nature #musicsky #MSHNVM #BlueLake #hiking
Reflection of dead trees in a calm mountain lake that has the appearance of a waveform audio graph.
May 10, 2025 at 5:54 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Today's #BlueSkyArtShow theme is #Lines, and my first thoughts go to the incongruity of straight lines in #nature.

#photography #suspensionbridge #MSHNVM #LavaCanyon #hiking
Pedestrian suspension bridge [currently closed!] across Lava Canyon on the eastern flank of Mt. Saint Helens.
May 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
Happy #Stunday!

On the way to many popular #hiking trails, this viewpoint offers a spectacular glimpse of what adventures lie ahead that day.

#photography #landscapephotography #sunrise #MSHNVM #volcano
The sun rising beside Mount St Helens from the Elk Rock Viewpoint.
April 13, 2025 at 3:22 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘤𝘦

Some of the newest rocks on Earth, extruded out into the high lava dome within Mt St Helens' crater, completely surrounded by Earth's newest glacier!

#Photography #Nature #Crater #Glacier #Volcano #MSHNVM #Geology #Devastation #Rebirth #RockinTuesday
Close-up view into the crater of Mt St Helens.
April 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
karlpeterson.bsky.social
𝘐𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘤𝘶𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦'𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘦 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘭.

It's #RockinTuesday in the #Backcountry too!

#Photography #Hiking #MSHNVM #Goat #Wildlife #Nature
Mountain goat climbing between craggy rocks.
April 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM