<p>H and I will be in the area for a couple of days next month and he’s never seen Mt. St. Helens. The only time I ever ‘saw’ it, was about seven years ago - I had flown into Portland, OR, rented a car, drove up to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, spent an hour or so walking around before it got dark, then left to head off to my destination along the Oregon coast. It was late September, so the drive between I-5 and the observatory was spectacular with all the fall colors. But I was impressed enough to know I’d like to go back again some day and spend more time there.</p>
<p>Like I said, we’ll have about two days to spend exploring the Mt. St. Helens area. I could use some guidance on where to stay (preferably to minimize our driving back and forth to I-5, and what dos and don’ts to see. I know there are several visitors’ centers, lots of hiking, etc. But I have no idea where to start trying to plan something. I suppose my first priority is to make accommodation reservations somewhere so we are guaranteed a room. </p>
<p>I wish I could remember the hotel we stayed at. It was really convenient to Mt St Helens, and where many of the hikers stay at. They sell the passes into St Helens for hiking. Though it was kind of a dive, it was convenient and a lot better than camping. And there was a tavern across the street with the best burgers ever. Though it may have something to do with that God awful hike up St Helens we did that day, anything would be delicious as we (I) was just happy to be alive. Best recommendation, don’t hike up the freaking mountain. Maybe go the first couple of miles, but not past the point where you need a pass. What an incredibly sucky hike!</p>
<p>I have heard of the Mt St Helens Motel, but can’t vouch for that. Maybe try trip advisor?</p>
<p>Where are you coming from? Personally, I would do a loop if I could. The scenery in that little circle from west to east and down to the Columbia is just amazing all packed into a tiny space. Mt. Adams is spectacular and has some easy-ish day hikes. If it were me (of course it isn’t ) I would see it from a close distance. I love the loop through Goldendale (with a stop at the Maryhill Museum) then along the river and up north again through Trout Lake and take the unpaved road between Adams and St. Helens back north. In that case a person could stay in Hood River before heading north.</p>
<p>Saintfan - we will coming from Cannon Beach, OR where we will have spent five nights. Our return flight after having two days to spend in the area will be from Seattle.</p>
<p>I probably should have added that any hikes need to be on the easy side, meaning I can do distance, but I don’t know about how I’ll be able to handle elevations yet. Am still recovering from some pretty big health scares this summer and haven’t been this deconditioned in over five years; but I will be working on it in the next three weeks, and hope to be able to handle some of the easy trails. </p>
<p>My H and I booked a Mt St Helen’s tour last summer through Portland. It turned out to be just us and a naturalist guide, which was fabulous. He was young, enthusiastic and really nice. We went to an older museum south of the mountain, then lunch, then to the mountain (which was astounding. I hadn’t really wanted to go, and am so glad I did). We decided to skip the lava tubes (a perk of having an unplanned private tour!). Such a fascinating place, story and the observatory is extremely well-done. The hike (walk) at the site is very easy and you can go as far or as easy as you like. </p>
<p>From Cannon Beach you can cross into Washington across the Astoria Bridge (from Astoria, OR), which will put you in Longview, WA. (If you want to go to Portland, it’s actually much longer, but you do get to go to Portland.) Longview/Kelso is home to quite a few clean and decent inexpensive motels. I’ve stayed in the Quality Inn there multiple times (for $69/night, with free breakfast). From Longview to the top of Mt. St. Helens is about a 1.5 hour drive on twisty back roads. There are very few hotels any closer.</p>
<p>Note that if you can’t see Mt. St. Helens, it will be foggy at the top of Mt. St. Helens, and really it’s not very interesting when it’s foggy. </p>
<p>I suffer from altitude sickness–develop splitting headaches if I go over 8000 feet, and it happens pretty much instantly–and have not had any problems on the easy hikes I’ve done from the Johnston Observatory.</p>
<p>When I did Mt. St. Helens before, that’s the route I took… drove from the Portland airport up to the Mt. St. Helens, then took I-5 back south to Rt. 30 to Astoria, then 101 south to Cannon Beach. Unfortunately, by the time I was about halfway through the leg of the Rt. 30 drive, it got dark outside, so I couldn’t really see anything. But I’ve heard it’s beautiful.</p>
<p>@jaylynn - I REALLY like the idea of using a tour company, or hiring a guide for the day! Do you remember which company you used?</p>
<p>@dmd77 - thanks for the personal recommendation. The only place I’ve found that’s any closer, is the Blue Heron B&B, which is very close to the first visitor’s center you encounter when heading out 504 toward Mt. St. Helens. I also found a place or two near Castle Rock, but the reviews aren’t very good. </p>
<p>I see that the company partnered with the hotel where we were staying (the Skamania Lodge) is called Evergreen Escapes, and H says he booked with through the hotel. However, the site/name/descriptions don’t look familiar to me. It could be the company, though (H arranged it). There is also a site called Eco-tours of Oregon, but that was not the company. I will keep thinking on it. </p>
<p>@jaylynn - I looked at both websites, Evergreen Escapes, and Eco-tours of Oregon. I much preferred what Evergreen Escapes had to offer, but am concerned that we would not be staying at a Portland hotel since that seems to be where they pick up. So I emailed them to see what they could do for us, even if we ended up having to take a private tour and being picked up in Castle Rock. Actually, a private tour is even more appealing because they could be flexible depending on what my energy level is that day and how I hold up, then make adjustments. </p>
<p>As it turns out, a lovely CC member contacted me privately and offered the services of she and her H to give us a private tour of Mt. Rainier the day following our Mt. St. Helens tour. If that works out, then we may not stay near Longview/Kelso or Castle Rock, as we would likely head up toward Mt. Rainier after doing Mt. St. Helens so that we would be near our starting point for Sunday morning. It would be awesome if we could squeeze in both places! I’d never even considered it, but now am getting excited about the prospect. That being said, if we need to, we could stay at the place dmd77 recommended, then leave early to meet up with them at Mt. Rainier. Or it looks like we have two options of places to stay at Mt. Rainier - The Paradise Inn, and the National Park Inn. It would come down to whether we are up to driving up to Mt. Rainier after a long day of touring, or stay near Longview/Kelso and get up early Sunday morning to head up there. </p>
) I would see it from a close distance. I love the loop through Goldendale (with a stop at the Maryhill Museum) then along the river and up north again through Trout Lake and take the unpaved road between Adams and St. Helens back north. In that case a person could stay in Hood River before heading north.</p>