Mt. St. Helens Picnic Ride

We have road to Mt St Helens several times for a pic nic at Coldwater lake. Today's ride had excellent weather. I thought we would cross the Astoria bridge to Washington and take Hwy 4 to Coal Creek. We would come out at Castle Rock and then we could pic up our sandwiches at Subway.



We ran into some road construction on Hwy 4 and were stopped by flaggers about four times. Then when we got onto Coal Creek we had about 4 miles of fresh chip seal.... What fun! Oh well, I guess that's what makes it a adventure..



Those on our ride today are Doug and Vickie, Jim and Katie, Jim and Ann, Dick, Don, Dave and Mary and last but not least William












These pictures show that we have arrived at the pic nic area at Coldwater Lake.




























As you can see with the tour bus in the back ground this area can get kinda crowded. There were some free pic nic tables but they were in the sun. However Vickie and I did find a shady spot and it was not long before a shady table opened up.























William is in deep thought here


























I told you there was some vacancy























After lunch at Coldwater Lake we road up the rest of the way to Johnson's Ridge










































This is the view point just before the summit. And I think I have come to realize it is actually the best view point. Less people and the view is just as good.

















Yep, it's yours truly






















That is Vickie and I with Mt. St. Helens in the background.















Thanks to Jim T. for taking this photo. It seems that Vickie and I don't get into pictures together most of the time.

















That is Jim T. standing next to his ride.

















Jim and Ann what a great shot.

















Dave, I think Mary had already ran over to the view point.

Some great rides...

Check out the informational map

Jim S. is checking out the Mountain. I don't know where Katie has run off too

Another picture of Jim and Mt. St. Where did my top go?

No we have Don S. on the right and Dave in the middle. That is William on the left and Vickie on the far left. Amazing what you can get people to do when taking pictures.

Hey Vickie. She looks like she is having a good time

Me and Princess

From Left to Right Jim T., Ann, Dick R. and

Jim S.

Ok, I think Jim is tired of getting his picture taken.

Hey Dick! Great ride so far!!

On our way down from the summit. It was probably around upper 70's at the summit and will be around 91 when we get to the bottom. Boy I have become a real wimp in the Hot weather. I can remember when 91 did not seem hot.

The flowers along the road in on the foot hills about 3/4 of the way up were amazing. And they smelled good too!

Nice and green up here!

Great road eh?