The views from Johnston Ridge/Johnston Ridge Observatory can be great. It is located about 5 miles north of the volcano's crater. It has been closed, due to both the ongoing eruption and to winter conditions, since October 2, 2004.
Mount St. Helens' crater and dome as seen from Johnston Ridge Observatory (JRO). USGS Photograph taken on April 20, 2005, by Elliot Endo. Note the older, snow covered, dome in the foreground, and the new dome beyond - too hot to allow snow to accumulate. Also note the ash covered glacier to the left (east) of the new dome.