This small lake just about a quarter-mile from Forest Road 99 is a testament to the regeneration of an ecosystem that survived the 1980 blast of Mount St. Helens.
Meta Lake might be small, but it teems with aquatic life and is surrounded on the south by a grove of evergreen trees that was blanketed in snow and preserved during the mountain’s eruption. It’s an oasis in the middle of an area that was laid bare when the volcano blew.
Take a short walk along the paved path, which is also accessible for those utilizing wheelchairs, and head over to a viewing platform that allows for a picturesque view over Meta Lake and the Norway Pass area to the north. Don’t be surprised if you see a bunch of small toads jumping about, bees flying around, or wildflowers in bloom — this area teems with life that has returned to the north side of the volcano!
