May 18th, 1980, more than 32 years ago. How does it look today? I took this picture from the east side of the mountain on NF-25.

 

Countless trees were blown down by the eruption. Others had all of their foliage blown off, resulting in suffocation. The forest is beginning to recover.

 

Much of the new growth was planted by the Forest Service.

 

The ridge above this spot.

 

From Windy Ridge, looking into the crater.

 

Looking down on Spirit Lake, thousands of trees still float on a watery grave.

 

I stopped at this place on the way home. Three miners parked this car and walked to a cabin about a mile away. The next morning, the Forest Service estimates this spot reached 400°. Fifty seven people lost their lives that morning, many never found, a reminder of the awesome power of nature.

Posted on August 18, 2012 in: Life in General