VISITORS EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO MOUNT ST. HELENS.(Living Today)

Byline: Kristin Jackson Seattle Times

Ten years after its catastrophic blast, plenty of attention is being focused on the Mount St. Helens volcano.

And thanks to the anniversary of the May 18, 1980, eruption, the number of visitors to Mount St. Helens in southwest Washington is expected to surge through the summer.

From Seattle or Portland, Mount St. Helens makes an ideal weekend car trip.

Two full days really are needed to explore the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (a 110,000- acre preserve administered by the U.S. Forest Service) area since the main sights are spread out and roads within the monument are often winding and slow-going.

Here are some tips - and a rundown on some of the highpoints - for those planning a visit to Mount St. …