Harmony Trail

Harmony Trail 224

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

Distance:

1 miles one way

Hiking Time:

30 min

Trailhead Elevation:

4000 ft

Elevation Gain:

-600 ft

Season:

June - October

Difficulty:

Moderate

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Moderate

Users:

Hikers

Region:

Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Maps:

USGS Spirit Lake East
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Printable Topo Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-5 South to Exit #68 to Highway 12 East. Follow the highway for 47 miles to Randle. Turn right (south) onto Highway 131 South, in 0.7 mile at Y junction take right fork onto Road 25. Follow Road 25 for 18.9 miles and turn right (west) onto FR 99 and follow it for 13 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road.

Trailhead:

Good parking, no water, no restrooms.

Trail:

June 23, 2002

Please note, pets are not allowed on this trail. This short trail is really worth your effort for the magnificent views of Mount St. Hellens , Mount Margaret and Spirit Lake . The trail gradually descends through the trees passing two small streams (that may not be there during a dry season) and quickly reaches pumice plains as it enters restricted area. Hikers are required to stay on trail from this point, there is minimum fine of $100 for violators. Here and there you will see small islands of grasses and flowers growing on the pumice plains. Passing close to what is now left of Harmony Falls, the trail takes you to the lakeshore. Great view of Mount St. Helens opens up from here. Please be careful near the floating logs - they are still moving and can be quite dangerous. North shores of the lake still bare the damage done by the lake waters pushed 800 feet up the hills by the powerful slide. The lake level now is about 200 feet higher then it was before 1980 eruption.