Washington's Majestic Mountains

Memorial Day we drove south from Castle Rock to visit the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge sits along the Columbia River about 12 miles north of the city of Vancouver, Washington. This refuge has a 4.2 mile auto tour loop along with two 2-mile wetland hiking trails. The tree swallows and bull frogs were busy on this beautifully sunny day. The refuge is also part of the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. There is a Cathlapotle Plankhouse which was constructed to resemble the houses described by Lewis and Clark when they visited the Indian village more than 200 years ago.

Ridgefield NWR

Cathlapotle Plankhouse

After a picnic lunch at the Refuge we decided to revisit Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Although we were here for a day in 2013, since our RV resort was just across from the entrance road, we couldn't resist going back up the 52 mile drive.

The vegetation is recovering after
the May 18, 1980 eruption.

View from the Johnston Ridge Observatory

Mount Rainier, at nearly three miles in height, is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range and is one of the world's most massive volcanoes. We spent two days touring Mount Rainier National Park. The first day we approached the volcano from the west via the Nisqually entrance and drove to the Paradise Inn and the visitor center at 5240 feet. On our second visit we entered the park from the east at the Stevens Canyon entrance and drove to Paradise. The Stevens Canyon Road was opened just days before due to snow. We also drove along the east park boundary to the White River Entrance and drove as far as we could before we reached the road to Sunrise which was still closed due to snow. I guess we may have to return in July.

Christine Falls

Henry M. Jackson Memorial Visitor Center

Paradise Inn

Reflection Lake

Falls Creek Falls

East Side of Mount Rainier
from Cayuse Pass