June Lake

Easy (to June Lake)

2.6 miles round trip

410 feet elevation gain

Open June to mid-November

Use: hikers, bicycles


Moderate (to Chocolate Falls)

5.8 miles round trip

1100 feet elevation gain

Open late June through October

The forests on this southern side of Mt. St. Helens weren’t hurt by the 1980 eruption, but if you stroll through the woods to June Lake’s 40-foot waterfall you’ll see other proof that you’re on a volcano. A volcanic mudflow created the lake itself about a century ago, and the waterfall drops off the edge of an ancient lava field. If you continue up to Chocolate Falls, you’ll scramble across fresh-looking lava to a stripped-out gorge where an ash-choked waterfall sometimes runs as dark as chocolate milk.

Start by driving Interstate …

Other Options

For a longer hike, continue as far as …

This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington.

Chocolate Falls