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Difference between revisions of "Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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[[Image:MSH-RestrictedAreaFine.jpg|thumb|300px|Off-trail travel is prohibited in the Restricted Area of the blast zone.  ''(kepPNW)'']]
 
[[Image:MSH-RestrictedAreaFine.jpg|thumb|300px|Off-trail travel is prohibited in the Restricted Area of the blast zone.  ''(kepPNW)'']]
  
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{{Maplinkinfo|latitude=46.276575|longitude=-122.216704}}
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{{Maplinkinfo|latitude=46.27757|longitude=-122.21603}}
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{{Elevation|4300 feet}}
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* Elevation: 4210 feet
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{{Driving time|2 hours}}
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{{Driving time|140 minutes}}
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=== Hikes beginning here ===
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* {{Hike ring|trailhead=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|hike=Harrys Ridge Hike|log=Harrys Ridge Hike/Log|previous=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|next=Boundary-Eruption Trail Junction}}
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* {{Hike ring|trailhead=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|hike=Coldwater Peak Hike|log=Coldwater Peak Hike/Log|previous=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|next=Boundary-Eruption Trail Junction}}
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* {{Hike ring|trailhead=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|hike=Loowit Falls via Truman Trail Hike|log=Loowit Falls via Truman Trail Hike/Log|previous=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|next=Boundary-Eruption Trail Junction}}
  
 
=== Hikes ending here ===
 
=== Hikes ending here ===
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* {{Hike ring|trailhead=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|hike=Johnston Ridge Hike|log=Johnston Ridge Hike/Log|previous=Loowit Viewpoint|next=Eruption-Boundary Trail Junction}}
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* {{Hike ring|trailhead=Johnston Ridge Observatory Trailhead|hike=Johnston Ridge Hike|log=Johnston Ridge Hike/Log|previous=Loowit Viewpoint|next=Boundary-Eruption Trail Junction}}
  
 
=== Fees and Regulations ===
 
=== Fees and Regulations ===
 
* Pets, bicycles, horses, and off-trail travel are all prohibited in the Restricted Area around JRO.
 
* Pets, bicycles, horses, and off-trail travel are all prohibited in the Restricted Area around JRO.
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* A [http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mountsthelens/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5189713 Monument Pass] is a per-person pass good for one day at Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Lake Recreation Area. They cost $8 for visitors 16 and older, are free for those 15 and under, and may be obtained at JRO. A [http://www.discovernw.org/store_annual-northwest-forest-pass-national-forests-in-washington-and-oregon-only_09942.html Northwest Forest Pass] allows one adult free day use access.  
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* A [http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mountsthelens/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5189713 Monument Pass] is a per-person pass good for one day at Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Lake Recreation Area. They cost $8 for visitors 16 and older, are free for those 15 and under, and may be obtained at JRO. A [http://www.discovernw.org/store_annual-northwest-forest-pass-national-forests-in-washington-and-oregon-only_09942.html Northwest Forest Pass] allows one adult free day use access. You do not need to display the Forest Pass on your car: take it into the visitor center to get a wristband that entitles you to use of the facilities and area trails.
  
 
=== Driving Directions ===
 
=== Driving Directions ===
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From Portland/Vancouver, take I-5 north to Castle Rock. Take exit 49, and turn east (right) on SR-504. Follow SR-504 for 51 miles to Johnston Ridge Observatory. There is ample parking, as the pictures demonstrate. The last eight miles (from the [[Hummocks Trailhead]] onward) are subject to closure in the winter.
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Drive I-5 north to Exit 49 for Highway 504E, Toutle and Castle Rock.
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Turn right after exiting and drive 43.1 miles on 504E through Castle Rock, Silver Lake and Toutle.  
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At a junction, bear right for Coldwater Lake and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Descend, and follow the highway 8.8 miles as it ascends again to the end of the highway at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
  
 
=== Other Notes ===
 
=== Other Notes ===
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* No parking permit is required.
 
 
* The observatory is open mid-May until early-November, and is the only source of water.  
 
* The observatory is open mid-May until early-November, and is the only source of water.  
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* Concessions are extremely limited. Last store and services available in [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Toutle,+WA&hl=en&ll=46.293816,-122.514038&spn=0.630063,1.159058&sll=46.276466,-122.223158&sspn=0.019696,0.036221&t=p&z=10 Toutle].
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* A concessionaire sometimes has a trailer in the parking lot (burgers, coffee, etc.). Otherwise, last store and services available in [http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Toutle,+WA&hl=en&ll=46.293816,-122.514038&spn=0.630063,1.159058&sll=46.276466,-122.223158&sspn=0.019696,0.036221&t=p&z=10 Toutle].
 
* ''This is definitely not a good place for pets!'' No shade, very little water, and they're really not allowed outside the parking lot. They'll thank you to be left home for this trip.
 
* ''This is definitely not a good place for pets!'' No shade, very little water, and they're really not allowed outside the parking lot. They'll thank you to be left home for this trip.
  

Revision as of 19:15, 9 February 2018

Johnston Ridge Observatory from the Eruption Trail (bobcat)
Eastbound trailhead at far end of parking lot. (kepPNW)
Off-trail travel is prohibited in the Restricted Area of the blast zone. (kepPNW)

Contents

Hikes beginning here

Hikes ending here

Fees and Regulations

  • Pets, bicycles, horses, and off-trail travel are all prohibited in the Restricted Area around JRO.
  • A Monument Pass is a per-person pass good for one day at Johnston Ridge Observatory and Coldwater Lake Recreation Area. They cost $8 for visitors 16 and older, are free for those 15 and under, and may be obtained at JRO. A Northwest Forest Pass allows one adult free day use access. You do not need to display the Forest Pass on your car: take it into the visitor center to get a wristband that entitles you to use of the facilities and area trails.

Driving Directions

Drive I-5 north to Exit 49 for Highway 504E, Toutle and Castle Rock.

Turn right after exiting and drive 43.1 miles on 504E through Castle Rock, Silver Lake and Toutle.

At a junction, bear right for Coldwater Lake and Johnston Ridge Observatory. Descend, and follow the highway 8.8 miles as it ascends again to the end of the highway at the Johnston Ridge Observatory.

Other Notes

  • The observatory is open mid-May until early-November, and is the only source of water.
  • A concessionaire sometimes has a trailer in the parking lot (burgers, coffee, etc.). Otherwise, last store and services available in Toutle.
  • This is definitely not a good place for pets! No shade, very little water, and they're really not allowed outside the parking lot. They'll thank you to be left home for this trip.

More Links


Page Contributors

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Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

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