Mount St. Helens NVM, WA: Coldwater Lake
This 11-mile loop trail circles the new lake created by the 1980 eruption. Start along the northern lakeshore where summer wildflowers abound, then climb to the south ridge traverse for big views and to witness the effects of nature's fury—and recovery.
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ Sign up for Outside+ today.
Dammed by debris flow during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, Coldwater Creek filled the canyon creating 4-mile long Coldwater Lake. Now, a network of trails in the area allows you to explore the lakeshore and ridges above for a closeup view of the catastrophic results of the eruption, and what nature has been doing to recover over the last 30 years.
The trail begins at the northern parking lot and boat ramp. Begin by walking easy trail above the lakeshore, with views up the canyon to Minnie Peak and Cataract Gorge. In summertime, wildflowers carpet these slopes in a variety of colors. Along the way, several benches offer breaks with pleasant lake views. Note the signs instructing hikers not to stray off the trail–hefty fines are handed out to violators.
Progressing up canyon, you’ll pass through several small, densely wooded areas, with trickling creeks and cascades passing over the trail. After three miles, come to an open avalanche slope and follow posts and cairns across the rocks. At the head of the lake, look for large, marshy ponds and beaver dams. At 4.4 miles, fork right onto Coldwater Trail #230, and descend to the bridge crossing over Cataract Gorge and Coldwater Creek. On the opposite side, the trail then climbs steadily for almost two miles to another junction with the South Coldwater Trail #230A. Turn right again and begin an easy traverse across the top of the ridge, westward, amid slopes of grasses and wildflowers, and the tombstone-like stumps of trees blasted down by the eruption.
After another mile, views start to open up of Coldwater Lake below and one point with a grand view of Mount St. Helens yawning crater over Johnston Ridge. Just before starting the final descent, pass the remains of several logging trucks and tractors–mangled, rusty, and half-buried in the ridgetop. Make a quick descent through young forest to the road and a parking area; here, turn right and follow the road back to your starting point at the Coldwater Lake parking lot. Along the way, pass bridges over Coldwater Creek, and note the views of Mount St. Helens behind.
Mapped by Eli Boschetto Bosco Mountain Photo
Trail Facts
- Distance: 17.9
Waypoints
230A Jct-R
Location: 46.305369, -122.211432
Trail junction; turn right on South Coldwater Trail #230A.
CLD001
Location: 46.292233, -122.266308
The Coldwater Lake trailhead begins at the northern parking area with the boat ramp.
CLD002
Location: 46.297784, -122.25896
Wooden bench with nice views.
CLD003
Location: 46.297931, -122.258215
Wooden bench with nice views.
CLD004
Location: 46.299816, -122.256428
Wooden bench.
CLD005
Location: 46.301077, -122.252258
Lake access for fishing and swimming.
CLD006
Location: 46.30129, -122.251859
Wooden bench with nice views.
CLD007
Location: 46.301905, -122.249795
Small creek crossing.
CLD008
Location: 46.304193, -122.244618
Small creek crossing.
CLD009
Location: 46.306078, -122.240894
Small creek crossing.
CLD010
Location: 46.308099, -122.237913
Small cascade crossing.
CLD011
Location: 46.316449, -122.22342
Begin traverse of avalanche area; follow posts and taped markers.
CLD012
Location: 46.318525, -122.213166
Small creek crossing.
CLD013
Location: 46.318584, -122.211535
Short side trail for lake access.
CLD014
Location: 46.319024, -122.204067
Small creek crossing.
CLD015
Location: 46.317939, -122.201659
Trail junction; turn right on Coldwater Trail #230, descending toward creek.
CLD016
Location: 46.317545, -122.202017
Cross bridge over Coldwater Creek.
CLD017
Location: 46.311867, -122.20616
First big view across Coldwater Lake.
CLD018
Location: 46.303408, -122.217469
Big views of Coldwater Lake.
CLD019
Location: 46.294715, -122.233397
View south of Johnston Ridge and Mount St. Helens.
CLD020
Location: 46.293443, -122.239308
Blast ruins; find rusty, half-buried remains of a logging tractor and crane.
CLD021
Location: 46.285537, -122.253115
Parking and trailhead for South Coldwater trail; exit to road, turn right and follow road to Coldwater Lake parking.
CLD022
Location: 46.284575, -122.26164
Bridge over South Coldwater Creek.
CLD023
Location: 46.287326, -122.27045
Road turnoff and parking for Hummocks Trail.
CLD024
Location: 46.288196, -122.271668
Bridge over Coldwater Creek; views of Mount St. Helens.
CLD025
Location: 46.289468, -122.27247
Turn right into Coldwater Lake parking area; return to starting point.
Coldwater Lake
Location: 46.292096, -122.265859
View across Coldwater Lake toward Minnie Peak, from trailhead.
Lakeshore
Location: 46.297581, -122.258692
Summer wildflowers adorn the trail and lakeside.
Cataract Gorge
Location: 46.311189, -122.228951
Coldwater Lake is fed by Coldwater Creek, emptying out of Cataract Gorge.
Summer Color
Location: 46.318748, -122.210584
A profusion of summer wildflowers decorate the slopes along the northern side of Coldwater Lake.
Coldwater Creek
Location: 46.317355, -122.201915
Flowing through Cataract Gorge, Coldwater Creek feeds Coldwater Lake.
Graveyard
Location: 46.301999, -122.219296
The slopes above Coldwater Lake are adorned with the stunted remains of trees blasted down in the 1980 eruption.
Mount St. Helens
Location: 46.294438, -122.234015
From an open viewpoint, look over Johnston Ridge, straight into Mount St. Helens crater.
Ruins
Location: 46.293697, -122.238564
Witness the half-buried remains of logging equipment destroyed by the 1980 eruption.
