Open season for volcano close-ups

"The Johnston Ridge Observatory, home of the Mount St. Helens VolcanoCam, will reopen for the 2005 visitor season on Friday, May 6, 2005. Summer hours will be 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, until October 30, 2005.

"The Johnston Ridge Observatory brings visitors within five miles of Mount St. Helens. This vantage point north of the volcano offers spectacular views of the new and old lava domes, the volcano crater, and the pumice plain. This facility focuses on the geologic history of Mount St. Helens.

"Daily admittance to one visitor center for those 16 or older is $3 per person. Admittance to all three centers will be $6 per person. May 18 will be a free day at the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of the 1980 eruption. No fees will be charged at the volcanic monument, including the visitor centers on State Route 504.

"Each evening, Washington State DOT will close the road between Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and Johnston Ridge Observatory from 9:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. the following morning for safety concerns."