Coldwater Lake snowshoe: Mt. St. Helen's

Looking northeast from trailhead

Its March 21st and the first day of spring has come and gone. Spring's not quite here and winter's jaws still seem to be clamped down on the calendar. For the last month my body and mind have been couped up in Olympia's concrete jungle, nature is calling. I own no snowshoes but desired to gain some elevation and peer into some rugged alpine vistas. So stopping by REI i rented a pair of MSR snowshoes for $20 a day and $10 each additional day, tails included.
Saturday morning my phone's alarm clock interrupted my sleep and by 8 am I was staring at the start of the trail. Every time i visit St. Helen's the wind has been almost overpowering and today was no different. Snow was falling lightly and dark clouds moved in from the southwest. Thank goodness the clouds were high as last time i visited this area no peaks were to be seen.
For about 4 miles coldwater trail hikes along the lake with the trail being mostly snow covered with few exceptions. As the miles went by sun breaks flashed from time to time bringing hope.

Looking back at the trailhead

Along the lake I wasn't the only traveler. Elk tracks littered the trail itself with scat everywhere. I smelled the herd before setting eyes upon them as the ridge above was treed. Finally I was able to behold a herd of 20 elk. Two of the twenty were three point bulls. They didn't mind me as they held their distance. They traveled fast with no clumsiness. I was jealous, it seemed like they rubbed it in as they would look back every 50 feet secretly laughing.

The view of Mt Margaret backcountry which holds Coldwater Peak, Mt Margaret, Mt Whittier, The Dome and Minnie peak slowly revealed it's self in it's full glory. The loop would just bring be to the edge of the backcountry only to impress me enough to plan a summer backpacking adventure here soon. Coldwater lake finally came to an end at mile four exposing it's marshy beaver lodged pond. Signs of spring were in full affect with Frog and Salamander eggs thrown about on the ponds shores. I turned down onto trail 230 which switchbacks for 1.8 miles up 1,700 feet elevation gain stopping to gaze at the backcountry's peaks which forcefully presented themselves at every halt.

From the end of the lake all the way up the switchbacks snow was deep and soft as the sun was out in full force by this time. Collapsing 6 inches to a foot was common and made climbing the 1,700 feet intense. At every switchback i rested fighting back my urge to become frustrated. I came along a Douglas Fir and pinched of a small 5 inch long branch. Sticking the twig under my beanie i continued to climb and collapse. The sweet fir smell actually helped me take my mind of the intensity of the climb.
The climb was over and I was on top of Coldwater ridge with view after view surrounding me. The trail here is clear of trees as the eruption cloud came roaring over the ridge taking out all vegetation. Mt. St. Helen's finally came into view. As I stared deeply into this quiet but active beast of a volcano my phone beeped. I had received a message, crazy! 4,000 feet up and I have 5 bars!! Therefore i was able to call my family and sent some pics.

The descent kicked into full gear as i started the three mile hike back to trail 230a's parking lot. Within the descent two old logging machines sat on top of the ridge most likely destroyed by the intense eruption in 1980. The sun was setting and time grew short as my body told me to quickly descend but my mind told me to enjoy every minute.
The Coldwater loop was my first adventure snowshoeing but won't be my last. The snow brings such a purity and glow out of the vast wilderness. Summer is coming but for now winters amazing splendor had me completely captivated never to underestimate it's secure place within the seasons again.

Here is video of the 360 view!!