Hiking: Harmony Falls Trail

Spirit Lake and the surrounding area changed drastically when Mount Saint Helens erupted. Join us in exploring what's left of this gorgeous landscape! To find out more, including a trail map and description, visit us at our website, nw-quest.com/
If you liked this video please consider subscribing!
Website: nw-quest.com/
Patreon: / nwquest
Facebook: / northwestquest
Instagram: / thenwquest
-----------------------------------------------------------------
From a bluff overlooking Spirit Lake, follow a well-graded, well-trodden trail down to this famous body of water. This is the only trail granting access to Spirit’s shoreline view of Mount St. Helens from across the altered lake’s log-jammed waters. And the falls? They’re gone-submerged after the eruption that dammed the lake’s outlet, causing its water level to rise by over 250 feet. All that remains of Harmony Falls now is a small set of smaller, melodious cascades.
Immediately descend as you hike through a tunnel of alders. As in other parts of the blast zone, the rate and amount of forest regeneration going on here is remarkable. Come back in a few years for a completely different experience. At about 0.4 mile, the way wiggles beneath some overhanging ledges dripping with moisture and creating a lush grotto.
The way bends right to eventually emerge upon an open plain plush with wildflowers. The path then bends left, traversing ledge striated by past glaciers and scoured clean of vegetation in 1980 by the massive eruption-caused landslide that plunged into the lake, creating a monstrous wave over 800 feet high. Forests hundreds of years old were immediately toppled-and thousands of fallen giants were swept to the lake, where they now float in massive logjams.
As it nears the lake, the trail winds down the ledge, brushing against a small creek cascading over polished rock. This small chute is now referred to as Harmony Falls. The original Harmony Falls was impressively big and tumbled through big timber to the lake near a rustic lodge. Harmony Falls Lodge, along with the falls and several other lodges and camps, is all gone now, their original locations submerged under 250 feet of water.
At 1.2 miles, the trail ends at the log-lined lake (elev. 3410 ft). The logs shift with the winds and can be dangerous-use caution around them. Do enjoy the great views though across the lake to Mount St. Helens, the Pumice Plain, Harry’s Ridge, and Coldwater Peak. Return the way you came, except now it’s uphill.