Rockfalls from the crater walls stir up ash clouds that curl over the edges of the crater rim, especially in late summer. A faint bluish-white volcanic gas plume is often visible rising from the Lava Dome, and sometimes fumaroles or clusters of fumaroles can be seen there. A walk up the steps on the hill north of the parking lot provides a better view of the devastated area adjacent to Spirit Lake. The 1980 debris avalanche roared over part of a ridge that protrudes into Spirit Lake from the north and carried all the downed trees off the slope and into the lake, leaving a distinct trimline. The avalanche also displaced water from Spirit Lake, creating a giant wave that carved a slosh line along the shore.
Wind moves the logs to different locations on the lake.
The portal is just visible about midway along the western shore of the lake. Had the lake level not been stabilized, its dam probably would have been breached, possibly causing catastrophic floods in the Toutle River.