Windy Ridge (Mount St. Helens) facts for kids

Mount St. Helens seen from the Windy Ridge Viewpoint in 1985

Windy Ridge is at the center of this map of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Windy Ridge is a ridge and eponymous Forest Highway in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The ridge goes between Windy Pass and Independence Pass, 1 mile (1.6 km) east of Spirit Lake. Several road guides list Windy Ridge Road (NF-99) as one of the best roads in Washington State due to its good pavement, good views, and winding "sweeper" curves enjoyable to many drivers and motorcycle riders. At the end of the road at 4,200 feet (1,300 m) elevation, at 46°15′00″N 122°08′14″W / 46.25000°N 122.13722°W / 46.25000; -122.13722 above Spirit Lake, there is a viewpoint into the St. Helens crater.

NF-99 meets Forest Road 25 near Wakepish Sno-park running to Windy Ridge and other Spirit Lake overlooks past places such as Bear Meadow Viewpoint, Miner's Car, Meta Lake and Cascade Peaks. This is one of the most popular back-country destinations on the Forest and Monument.