Important things to know to avoid log deletion:
- if your answers will be sent at a later time, state when I will receive them in your found log.
- required photo must be personalized in some way so that I know you were truly there.
- photo must be taken at Stop 5 with the described hummock in the background.
If I delete your found log due to lack of following instructions, you can re-log your find when you are able to comply.
There is no fee or pass required to park and walk to this earthcache.
The Creation of the Hummocks
At 8:32 a.m. on May 18th, a magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook the bulging north face of Mount St. Helens loose. It collapsed and a massive landslide slid down the side of the mountain into the valley. Part of the landslide surged into Spirit Lake. Part of it overtopped the lake's ridge and plunged into the valley beyond. The bulk raced westward, burying 14 miles (22km) of the North Fork Toutle River valley.
The landslide released the pressure of the molten rock called magma and unleashed a hurricane-force blast that shot across the landscape, removing, toppling and scorching 230 square mile of forest in three minutes.
Intact pieces of the mountain the size of small hills (hummocks) were carried along in the landslide and now litter the valley floor. The colorful heart of the mountain now lies scattered in a landscape of rounded hummocks. You will pass by both large and smaller hummocks as you walk the Hummock Trail.
The landslide was first with the volcanic blast following at a much faster rate. At first ash from the blast covered the hummocks near the source, but soon overtook them, and, arriving at the same time or in advance, left the hummocks exposed. On some of the hummocks you can see the layer of ash on the side of the hummock, looking almost like part of the hummock itself. At the Johnston Ridge Observatory, you can see ash covered hummocks exposed by the cutting action of the river.
Note: In addition to the earthcache information, along the way you will find QR codes posted on the sign boards. These can be scanned using the Agents of Nature app which is designed to pique kids' interest in the outdoors. To use this feature, download the app to your phone or mobile device before your trip. Scanning the codes unlocks challenges to solve by answering questions about your surroundings.
To complete this earthcache, you will walk clockwise on a 2.5 mile loop trail. The stated coordinates are for the trailhead. Some waypoints are at signboards where there are no questions to be answered, although interesting things to note will be pointed out in the text. Questions to be answered will be noted as such, requiring you to read the cache page text and make observations along the walk.
Remember to stay on the trails and if you pick up something to look at it, put it back where you found it. It is illegal to remove anything from the area.
Let's take a walk to learn more about hummocks.
Start at the stated coordinates which take you to the trailhead and then walk to waypoint 1.
Stop 1 - Colors of Earth and Mountain Blocks
Items of interest:
- the three types of volcanic rock found at Mount St. Helens and how are they different.
- the three blocks blasted from the mountain and the one on which you are standing.
Stop 2 - Sculpting the Hummocks
"The hummocks will continue to change with every rainstorm, slump and pond breakout. Gravity pulls the water soaked hummocks down as massive slumps create new ridges and spires. Wind and rain endlessly carve through the gray surface leaving gullies and ravines."
Question to answer 1: At this location and throughout your walk, what evidence to you see that change is already happening?
Stop 3 - Water is the Lifeblood
"Ponds form from rainfall or seeps at the base of hummocks. In years to come, a forest will grow, hiding the hummocks and enticing us to forget that a volcano once collapsed and uprooted a forest."
Question to answer 2: Throughout your walk, what evidence do you see beginning that might hide the hummocks in the future?
Stop 4 - The Debris Avalanche
Item of interest - Which debris avalanche traveled farthest.
Stop 5 - trail and photo stop
Here you will see a large hummock across a pond. Note the size, shape, color and composition of the hummock to assist in answering the questions.
Question to answer 3: - Based on seeing this hummock and the others along the way, write a few sentences describing the make-up (composition) of the hummocks in general. Of what materials do they consist? What is their shape, size, color? (Write just a few sentences about what you see.)
Question to answer 4: - Describe the evidence of ash seen on the hummock at this waypoint - Stop 5.
You are now more than halfway along the loop trail. I suggest that you continue the loop, loosely following the North Fork Toutle River's course. You will be walking on remnants of hummocks as you go and will see environments that differ from those on the first part of your walk. Enjoy the ponds, bogs, and stream channels. You may see a variety of life, both plant and animal, including elk and birds of prey.
To get credit for this earthcache, send the answers to me first or state in your log when you will send them. Do not wait for my response. I will contact you promptly with approval or letting you know if I need additional information from you. I may also send additional information to you as appropriate. Cut and paste the following into your response with the answers, preferably through the message center. (My responses to you will be sent through the message center.)
Cut, paste, and add the answers gathered above:
The Hummocks Trail Earthcache questions/answers:
Question to answer 1: At this location and throughout your walk, what evidence to you see that change is already happening?
Question to answer 2: Throughout your walk, what evidence do you see beginning that might hide the hummocks in the future?
Question to answer 3: - Based on seeing this hummock and the others along the way, write a few sentences describing the make-up (composition) of the hummocks in general. Of what materials do they consist? What is their shape, size, color? (Write just a few sentences about what you see.)
Question to answer 4: - At Stop 5, describe the evidence of ash seen on the hummock at this waypoint.
Requirement - photo of you near the last waypoint. If camera shy, write your name on a piece of paper and hold it up in your photo.
Enjoy your walk, and when you are finished, I recommend doing the earthcache A Lake is Born across the Hwy 504. There you will find a hummock in the middle of the lake.
Sources include USDA publications and volunteer interpretive guides.