The camera broadcasts near real-time images of the mountain online, recorded at an elevation of roughly 4,500 feet. The webcam is about 5 miles from the volcano itself.

The folks at Mount St. Helens aren't sure how the gnome got there.

But a webmaster for Forest Service credits the gnome for clearing the heavy snowfall that has blocked the views of Mount St. Helens for much of the winter.

In an e-mail to KING 5, USDA Forest Service Webmaster Dennis Lapcewich wrote: "We appreciate the efforts of the VolcanoCamGnome in clearing a view for all the world to see, even if the view is dark clouds today, and probably the rest of the week. I have no idea how long he will remain there, considering access to the JRO (Johnston Ridge Observatory) is all but impossible except by Forest Service Snow cat. He may remain a while until the snowdrift underneath him melts away."

Source: King5.com