spirit lake memorial highway

This is a crooked road but its a breath taking beautifu drive. Gas up before you leave castle rock and take a lunch along. Lots of beautiful country to look at. Gods handiwork is awesome!

You're not up here just for the drive, you're on your way to see Mount St. Helens from Johnston Ridge Observatory. And there's no other way to get there. But the highway itself is very nice. You'll probably want to stop at all the points along the way for pictures and to take in the scenery. If something seems strange about the appearance of the mountains, it's not just your imagination. There are large sections of the mountain where they have planted nothing but noble fir, and they were all planted in 1983. The result is a mountainside where all the trees are exactly the same size, shape, and colour. It's beautiful but strange.Johnston Ridge is 50 miles up past the Chevron station in Castle Rock (and it's 50 miles back down). So make sure to have plenty of gas in the tank before you head up. Also bring food and drink, because there's none at any of the lookouts.

Superb road up to the Observatory. It is a long drive 52 miles but it's worth the effort. Stop off and marvel at Mt St Helen's at the numerous view points. Be warned there is no organised foot at the end of the drive. Drive and enjoy.

It you like driving among spectacular scenery, you'll love this. Someone else here calls it a 'winding mountain road' - well, sort of - but it's magnificently constructed, wide, with careful attention paid to gradients and curve radiuses. The curves swoop along the high sides of the valley, built there rather than on the valley floor so that the road will survive the debris flow from next eruption of Mount St Helens.This is one of the great motor roads. It's worth stopping at the various visitor centres, but if you are a keen driver, your problem will be sticking to the speed limit and stopping yourself whooping too much with delight.

This is one of the most beautiful drives I've ever done. The forests are recovering from the blast and you can see signs of life everywhere. A yearling elk even crossed the road a few feet ahead of me. But the changing views of the volcano are the most amazing thing about this road. It's definitely worth it to make the stops, use the viewpoints and trailheads to get out of the car and explore the area.

The 54-mile drive on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway from Interstate 5 to the Johnston Ridge Observatory has to be one of the most scenic drives in the Pacific Northwest. I remember mile after mile of pristine, heavily forested countryside, the Toutle river valley, and an array of snow-capped peaks before the highway terminated with sweeping views of the land devastated by Mount St. Helens. The highway winds through a jaw-dropping landscape. It was, by far, my most memorable drive in the Pacific Northwest last June.

very beautiful drive always interesting to go from a foot of sow to green grass and fall leaves in an hour drive time

Nothing to dislike-- a pretty drive, and lots of veiwpoints of the valley-- but the mountain was totally engulfed in clouds and not visible.

Take your time, make the stops. Amazing trip that lots of North Westerner's miss. We spent the day making our way up and down the highway.

There were plenty of places to stop for pictures, visitors centers to visit, and amazing views. Be sure to stop at the very pretty Coldwater Lake.

The scenery is ever changing, as are the views of Mt. St. Helens. Even if one didn't avail themselves of the various viewpoints, intepretive centers, and roadside attractions it's a worthwhile drive.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be stuck behind a RV going super slow on the highway when you're trying to get somewhere.This highway has appropriately spaced passing lanes, and is very well signed.We were driving out to the Hummock trail and it was such dense fog but not once did it feel sketchy because everything was marked well and the speed limit is reasonable.

Beautiful beautiful....we were blessed with unbelieveable weather and views

Totally Awesome! A definite must do! You will be glad you took the time and certainly don't want to miss this.

What can I say, this road rocks! It's a seasonal road so always check online to see if it's open. Traffic can be heavy but if you're lucky (like I was) you can almost have the road to yourself. It's in good condition with very little debris or gravel on the road. The corners are great with a few tight ones and some long sweepers too.The best part about riding this road to the Johnston Ridge Observatory? You get to ride it back when you leave!!