Nature
Windy Ridge, on the northeast side of Mount St. Helens in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, is both a ridge and the name of Forest Highway 99. About 1 mile east of Spirit Lake, it offers a viewpoint roughly 4,200 feet above the lake with a direct view into the volcano’s crater. The route is known as one of Washington’s standout scenic drives, prized for volcanic panoramas, winding curves, and easy access to dramatic terrain reshaped by the 1980 eruption. It is also a heavily visited backcountry destination, though access has recently been disrupted by the 2023 South Coldwater Slide and related repair work through 2027.
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