There is so much history about the volcanoes in the Cascade Volcanic Arc it's difficult to know where to start. In just the past 200 years, seven of the 13 volcanoes have erupted. Many of us are old enough to remember the destruction and devastation from Mount St Helens eruption in 1980. Since then, Mount St Helens has been one of the most studied volcanic eruptions in the arc.

On May 18, 1980 within a few seconds of a 5.1 magnitude earthquake, the volcano's summit slid away - the largest recorded landslide on Earth - 1,314 feet of its summit was removed. This triggered powerful explosions - a lateral blast sent rock, ash, volcanic gas and steam outward at more than 300 miles per hour from the north side of the volcano. The blast traveled about 17 miles northward, eliminating everything within its path for the first 5-7 miles. Some trees - being shielded by northern facing mountians - were spared, as was Meta Lake. Fifty-seven people were killed - only four were inside the (5-mile) danger zone. The landslide filled Spirit Lake with 200 feet of rock, mud and debris - raising the water level by 200 feet. The landslide caused a massive 800 foot tidal wave across Spirit Lake and trees were plucked off the mountains as if they were feathers; they still remain floating on Spirit Lake as a reminder of the devastion. Trees between 7 & 17 miles away were blown over as if they were mere toothpicks - most still lay in the direction they were blown as if frozen in time. Trees as far away as 17 miles were seared and most of them died; many of the dead tree trunks remain standing upright. A plume of gas and ash that rose to more than 15 miles in only 15 minutes eventually traveled around the world, making its way back to Mount St Helens in 15 days...hence a local saying, "No need to come to Mt St Helens, it will come to you".

Mount St Helens is the most active volcano in the Cascade range. Although it is considered dormant, there is evidence of activity; after its eruption in 1980 there have been more than a dozen eruptions creating extrusions of lava which has pushed up a dome from the crater floor.

After getting a brief history about Mount St Helens, it was time to make our hike to Windy Peak (one of the most recommended trails). The climb up 380 steps overlooks the north-northeast side of Mount St Helens and Spirit lake. From atop Windy Peak looking around the vista, you can see Mount Hood in the southeast, Mount Adams to the east and towards the north, you can see Mount Rainier...all are active volcanoes in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. This was a strenuous climb was tough on the knees and very windy but well worth the time and effort. You can also see where the forestry division helped the rejuvenation process outside of the Mt St Helens National Monument area by planting trees; inside the monument area, the rejuvenation of the land is an all natural process.

The next trail to conquor was the Spirit Lake Trail, the only trail that leads down to the lake. It is found at the Harmony Overlook and is about two miles, round trip. They call it "most difficult" but it was more of a moderate trail; it is only because of the climb back up that it is listed as such. As the trail decended to the lake, the logs that still remain floating became more massive than what you see on Google Earth or even through binoculars. While we were sitting on the boulder-lined shore of Spirit Lake taking pictures we saw something change in the lower westside of the mountain; I took a picture of what we tought could be a steam-release from one of the vents...having a new found respect for the mountain, it was time to leave.

As we hiked up from Spirit Lake, we reflected back on where we were when it erupted, how it forever changed lives of so many people, how it changed the way we now look at volcanoes, how the sheer devastation of that day changed the landscape and how many lives were lost. But moreso, we acknowledged how much the terrain had self-rejuvenated over the last 33 years with the scattered beds of wildflowers, new tree growth, birds & animals. Unsuprizingly, people have come to be more vigilant and respectful of this mighty, forever-changing mountain.

As food for thought and to add a little more history and information about two other near-by volcanoes within the Arc, I wanted to include Mount Hood (Oregon) and Mount Adams (Washington).

Mount Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon at around 11, 250 feet; its peak is home to twelve glaciers and is considered the "Oregon volcano most likely to erupt". Geologist, among others, believe the glaciers will be a devastating source when the mountain erupts. There are vents near the top that emit noxious gases (carbon dioxide and sulfer dioxide) and the most recent evidence of volcanic activity comes from fumaroles near Crater Rock and hot springs on the flanks of the volcano.

Mount Adams is also a potentially active stratovolcano and the 2nd highest mountain (over 12,200 feet) in the state of Washington and one of the largest volcanoes in the Cascade Volcanic Arc. The wilderness area includes the upper and western part of the volcano's cone; the eastern side is part of the Yakama Nation. The volcano has not erupted in over 1,400 years but contrary to belief, it is not extinct. It is surrounded by numerous volcano's and several cones overlap to form the 18-mile diameter base. Geologist predict that future eruptions of Mount Adams will result in massive landslides, similiar to previous events.