Ran up to Johnston Ridge yesterday. Got to the observatory around 5:30 pm. There were a lot of elk on the pumice plain. Some bugling could be heard, but it was quite distant. Also, a number of elk could be seen on the hillside beyond the back end of the parking lot. Given the lighting, distance, and the fact I was using compact binoculars, I couldn't put horns on any of the animals. Easily glassed over a hundred elk; some solitary, others in groups of 4 or 5 animals up to herds of 18+. Johnston Ridge would be a great place to play with a spotting scope.

Moved to a lower elevation viewpoint, had a picnic dinner, and hung out 'til after sunset. Just as the sun disappeared, some elk started calling below us. Then, several coyotes starting singing. After awhile, eight cows and calves walked out of the timber, about 100 yards from where we were sitting.

We didn't hear the big bulls challenging each other nearby, this time. The ranger at Johnston Ridge said they were noisier last week. We saw more elk than usual. There were a dozen cars in the Johnston Ridge parking lot; almost no traffic coming or going. It was a very enjoyable autumn day at Mt. Saint Helens.