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Trail Of Two
Forests, Mt.
St. Helens |
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The south side of Mt. St. Helens seems to get more snow than anything at the same elevation I have ever experienced. I am sure I am wrong, in that many parts of the mountain get as much if not more, but it is the area's most accessible portions that I am referring to. This forecast for this weekend was heavy snow and what better time to take advantage. Amber has never been snowshoeing but loved the idea. The Friday before, I hit up REI for some rental shoes for Amber. We stopped by Jack's Restaurant for breakfast on our way up. The snow was indeed thick as the road was not plowed and had some plowing of my own to do to get to the trail.
After a couple circles of the parking lot to pack the snow so I could escape, we geared up as Amber did not let me put on my shoes before asking me to hurry up. The child could not wait. Impatiently, she thumped off, testing out her new gear with smiles abound.
I got my shoes and pack on just in time to catch her. We took off for the gated road, where the plowing ended, towards Ape Caves. As fit as I was, it was actually a workout to keep up with this little thing. She was so light, she floated on the soft power while I sank deep, sometimes to my knees.
We managed to get 400 feet before Amber could no longer contain her excitement. I thought the whole time she hadn't. I was wrong as she wriggled and "swam" in the fluffy white stuff, falling on purpose, just to get back up and fall again.
She led the way about a half a mile until she said she needed hot chocolate. Being the "guide" on this trip, I found a nice little cove, created by the overhanging trees, to make hot cocoa. I set up a spot complimented with water, hot chocolate and a place to sit.
Sitting did not last long as Amber was in hyper drive. She insisted on building Mount Amber as I took a breather and sipped the warm cocoa. I boiled up some water for noodles, knowing full well within an hour, she would be hungry.
Being the goal setter that I was, I talked the reluctant child into actually hiking what we set out to do here. We made our way back to the parking lot and hunted around for the trail. Along the way we had a small snowball fight that turned into a wrestling match, pushing and pulling each other into the soft, thick blankets. Laughter came easy as it does when the weather is like it was.
We found the boardwalk, complete with downed trees, and hiked it's path. I was amazed at the sheer amount of snow at the modest elevation of 1800 feet. After walking around the entire trail and scoping out numerous mini caves, it was time to leave. Tears flowed on the way home as Amber thought this was an overnight trip. Of course, minutes after the tears stopped, the snoring began.
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