CASTLE ROCK -- Johnston Ridge Observatory overlooking

Mount St. Helens is set to reopen for the summer on May 6.

The observatory is located at the end of State Route 504, east

of the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center. It has been closed since

last October 2.

On the same day the Johnston Ridge Observatory reopens, Mount

St. Helens visitor centers will shift to summer hours.

May 18 will be a free day at the Mount St. Helens National

Volcanic Monument in remembrance of the 25th anniversity of the

1980 eruption. Regular daily admission fees are three dollars for

adults to go to one visitor center or six dollars to go to all

three.