47 min
Overview
This is a great hike for geology and volcano buffs looking for an easy stroll. Lava Canyon in its current form was created after the May 1980 Mount Saint Helens eruption when most of the Shoestring Glacier came cascading down the Muddy River and scoured out the forested canyon, baring weathered 2,000 year-old lava flows from the Castle Creek eruption period, tortured defiles, and six sets of thundering waterfalls. On this short outing, you won't see all of the waterfalls, but you'll certainly get a perspective on the gnarly defile. The hike itself used to be a loop where visitors could cross a swaying suspension bridge over the narrow gorge. The bridge is still there but is now closed for safety reasons, so the route is now an out and back excursion down both sides of the Muddy River defile.
Trail Stats
1.9 km
101 m
867 m
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Photos
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