Book Description

Whether you are an armchair enthusiast or an outdoor explorer, The Secret Life of Mount St. Helens presents a stimulating picture of the most active volcano in the history of the Cascade Mountain Range located in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Through the eyes of scientists, Native Americans, and local residents, this unique environmental guide depicts the 1980 eruption and its effects on the people, places, and things surrounding the mountain. The book also explores the region's recovery while revealing such notables as how the volcano answered a longtime geological mystery and unearthed an impressive ancient lava flow. Additionally, a portrait of the distinct flora and fauna that continues to emerge around the monument is illuminated. Interactive center bars engage readers by asking questions, providing food for thought, promoting responsible stewardship, and highlighting hiking essentials. As a recreational resource, The Secret Life of Mount St. Helens suggests outstanding hiking trails where you can experience an old-growth forest, encounter a reconfigured lake, and delve down inside a lava tube. The book also recommends the best time to visit, detailed driving directions, current camping connections along with important contact information.