Smoke on the Mountain Oct 21st 2006

[Ford_Forgotton]

Smoke on the Mountain is an annual cruise up to Johnston Ridge Observatory on Mt St Helens. Started by Bob V two years ago, this is the third cruise up.

We typically create our own convoys from bellingham, seattle, and portland and all meet at exit-68 on I-5 at "Spiffy's" and eat breakfast together. Get the BUFFET!

After breakfast, the cruise begins. We travel down to Toledo, then onto hiway 505, to hiway 504, which then goes up the mountain! We stop along the way at various sight-seeing points and leg stretches.

At the top is Johnston Ridge observatory, where you can purchase a pass to tour the visitors center, see the LED/Fibre Optic centerpiece, and watch the Mt St Helens movie on the big screen.

Here are pictures from last years convoy up the hill:
http://forgotton.net/diesel/smokemntII/index.htm

Johnston Ridge observatory doesnt open until 10am, so no need to hurry. If we managed to meet at Spiffy's by 9am and leave by 11am, we would still reach the top around 1pm. Its about an hour and 40 mins from Spiffy's to the observatory.