Mount St Helen's was an unbelievable place to visit.  You can hear and read about the eruption in 1980 but it is something to see in person.

Pictures provided by park service on an information board showing Mt St Helen's before and after the eruption.  The entire top and side of the mountain were blown away.

In the background you can see the lava dome in the creator of Mt St Helen's.  The shape of the dome is familiar to me. LOL

This picture is taken seven miles away at the observatory for Mt St Helen's.  Even at this distance we are still standing on parts of Mt St Helen.  You can also see gully's beginning to form in the  ash at the base of the mountain.  The ash can be up to several hundred feet deep.

All of the trees you can see in the picture are no older than 33 years old.  Everything you can see hear would have been destroyed or knocked down in 1980.  Most of what you see has returned because of hand planting that was done between 1983 - 1989.

Much of the wildlife has also now returned to the park.  If you squint you can see the elk in this picture.  LOL  

Last but not least, Bigfoot.  He is very much a part of the lore in the Mt St Helen's area.  This is all we saw of him though.