We didn't make it all the way to Castle Peak but we found an amazing highpoint on the ridge that was not only in closer proximity to the mountain but also brought with it the same blissful nature that is to be expected from a place on this earth that carries so much beauty:
We started the day off at the Blue Lake TH near you guessed it again, Blue Lake. Joie had much more energy than me on this day and was off to the races while I was still trying to figure out how to drag my sorry ass out of bed
Getting closer to Blue Lake and some breakfast before the hike over to the South Fork Toutle:
As we neared the junction with Sheep canyon we got a look across the river drainage at the highpoint we would be having our lunch on:
Just a little ways before Sheep Canyon still and there was a small slide that has taken out part of the trail:
Arriving at our first Toutle crossing of the day and Jo was ready to get in and out for the haul up to the Castle Ridge junction:
At peace amongst the rubble:
Notice how clear the water was on our first crossing:
Climbing out with the assist of the rope, there are now ropes on both sides of the canyon to aid hikers in and out of the rock and ash laden riverbed:
We worked our way out of the bottom of the canyon and made the final long switchback up to the Castle Ridge junction. Many of the trails that traverse ash/debris covered slopes that were so heavily damaged by the blast get better at the end of each summer/hiking season. Early in the season and sometimes you're essentially making the trail
We did see one other hiker
And a lotta mountain
The sound of rock fall chimed in every so often as we kept on toward the ridge:
A closer look into the rugged lifeblood(well headwaters) of the South Fork Toutle River:
Once we reached the Castle Ridge Trail it was like living in a private little wonderland for the time being. By now it was already early/mid afternoon and time to find a place for lunch after the long hike in:
There were some absolutely incredible views of Castle Lake as we traversed the ridge stopping constantly to take in the views:
Not long after the junction with Castle Lake and we were closing in on the little used TH that sits right on the western edge of the monument. We decided to bag the Castle Peak idea and save it for another day opting to hit a short off-trail ascent of one of the highpoints on the ridge:
It sat just a short distance above the trail but up on top things really opened up.
Looking over towards Castle Peak:
And out toward the mountain with a dressing of phlox and stonecrop in the foreground:
Despite never wanting to leave such a beautiful place Jo and I climbed back down to the trail and began the hike back to the Toutle River. It's always tough to step away from a moment like the one we were experiencing on the mountain that day. But in the grand scheme of things it seems all for the better as those moments wouldn't have been nearly as sweet had they been everlasting.
Of course its not so bad when you're getting to look at this on your way back
Luck would also have it that the true keepers of the mountain would be out on a Sunday stroll:
They must be really liking the terrain around the South Fork as I've seen them down there the past three times I've been through the Toutle:
The last picture sequence was taken around dinner time while we crossed the Toutle River, notice the difference in the water compared to earlier:
Miracles are made in the Mt St Helens National Monument
