Lahar Viewpoint Interpretive Site
This 1980 mudflow area offers an outstanding view of Mount St. Helen’s (non-crater) south side. The v-notch on the mountain once held Shoestring Glacier, which was liquified along with the surrounding mountain snow from the heat of the eruption. Water mixed with rock and ash, creating a giant lahar (destructive mudflow originating on a volcano) which swept down St. Helens at 100 miles per hour. It raced through the forest and across this location, shearing off most trees and debarking others as far as 30 feet up. A variety of trees, plants and wildlife now inhabit this once-barren mudflow.
Accessible Adventures Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhFOgtAgJ8Q
General Information
Day use only: open sunrise to sunset
America the Beautiful or Northwest Forest Pass accepted.
No Fees are required for this site.
$5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites.
Contact Name: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Headquarters
Contact Phone: 360-449-7800
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 46.15943
Longitude: -122.094103
Elevation
3200
Directions
From Woodland, WA take State Route 503, becoming Forest Road 90, east to the well-signed junction with Forest Road 83. Lahar is 10.5 miles east of the junction of Forest Roads 83 and 90.
Travel Considerations
Forest Road 83 is paved but rough. Use caution.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
