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 Reporter |
Summary: Climbing Mount St. Helens is a rugged, off trail scramble. It is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable on steep irregular terrain. Prior to mid summer, climbers can expect to encounter snow. At 8,365 feet elevation, Mount St. Helens provides outstanding views of the crater, lava dome, blast area and surrounding volcanic peaks. The Monitor Ridge route, begins at Climbers Bivouac, at the end of Forest Road 830. This narrow gravel road is suitable for standard passenger vehicles. Start on the Ptarmigan Trail #216A; this trail climbs forested slopes for 2 miles to timberline. Above timberline, scramble over steep, blocky lava flows on the lower slopes and loose, sandy volcanic ash on the upper slopes. Take great care at the crater rim, it is extremely precipitous and portions may be unstable. Most climbers complete the round trip in 7 to 12 hours. The route climbs 4,500 feet from trailhead to rim in 4.5 miles. What a workout! Trailhead: Driving Directions From Interstate 5 -- take Exit 21 (Woodland Exit) Travel east on Highway 503 and then USFS Road 90, approximately 35.7 miles to junction of USFS Roads 83 and 90. Turn north (left) onto USFS Road 83 and proceed another 3.2 miles to the junction of USFS Roads 83 and 81. Turn on to USFS Road 81. Proceed 1.8 miles to intersection of USFS Roads 81 and 830. Turn on to USFS Road 830 to Ptarmigan Trail and Climber's Bivouac (Lat:46.14766 Lon:-122.18353) Trail Guides for Mount St. Helens summit, WA: 100 Hikes in Washingtons South Cascades and Olympics by Ira Spring and Harvey Manning (The Mountaineers books) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Climbing/Permit Information - (360) 449-7861 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Drew Furnia, who has posted 23 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 2 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Mike on 4/19/2007 I have done this hike on a number of occasions. The last time I climbed was a few years back, a few months before it was closed. I started very early - before daylight actually - and was on the mountain as the sun was comming up. There was also a 3/4 moon. I was there alone and it was almost a spiritual experience. Watching the sun come up with the moon out was, to say the least, breathtaking. I had climbed Shasta the week before so this seemed pretty easy. I was back in the parking lot about 11:00 a.m. Had a few brews, rested for a while and headed home. I love this mountain.
Reviewed by kevin on 3/4/2007 might do this hike in august 2007. was wondering how the usfs roads are, and how difficult to find them are. any help is appreciated...Thanks
Reviewed by Mike on 9/24/2006 We just accomplished the climb to the Summit via Monitor Ridge in late September. It was well worth the effort...we had a clear view at the summit. The size and breadth of the destruction from that viewpoint is simply breathtaking. I highly recommend the climb. Keep in mind that this is no "cake walk". The rock scramble is long and rather difficult...equally as difficult on the way down. This is no Mount Si - leave your dogs and young children at home. We witnessed a number of rock slides and stumbled upon a couple cougar tracks as well. Awesome journey!!
Reviewed by Manish on 8/30/2006 I have done in on Sep-25, 04, the last day before it was closed (lucky me). And I am doing it again on Aug-31, 06, in 2 days. This is simply my favorite hike and I will write my experience of carrying my 25 lb camera gear this time, once I am done on Thursday. Highly recommended to everyone, though it is a good idea to do some prep hikes to keep you in shape for this lengthy hike. Last time it took me and my brother 4hr45 min to go up and 2hr45min to come down and we rested fairly in between, for pictures. Looking down the crater was worth the effort and should be worth again to see the change in last 2 years. 
Reviewed by Rory on 8/23/2006 A group of us from work just did the hike. Some in our group were able to do the hike in a fair amount of time. My wife and I made the hike up to the top in 7 hours...and it wasn't because of her that it took so long. I am 5'10" and 260lbs. and round in places that weren't round ten years ago. It was the most difficult physical activity I have ever done, however the sense of accomplishment is well worth it! The crater view is amazing. One final note...the hardest part is the final 45-60 minutes of the hike. Pace yourself up the mountain, you will need your energy when working through the sandy volcanic ash on the upper slopes. It was such a great experience, we are going to do it again next year. 
Reviewed by diane on 8/21/2006 I don't have a review-just questions. I want to do this hike but I'm scared I'm not in shape enough. We're from Arizona and I'm not used to mountains this big. Any advice on how much to train? We're looking at September 2006. I can take all day to do it if need be but I'm just wanting to know if I should bother. Thanks.
Reviewed by Fred on 8/19/2006 My brother-in-law, age about 40, got a couple of permits to hike to the top of Mt St Helens on Aug 4, 06 and asked me, age 68, to come along. We had hiked on Mt Rainier to the upper reaches of Van Trump park above Comet Falls a couple of years previously and I had hiked his legs off, so I thought I could do the climb. We started about 9am and got to the summit by 1 pm with not too much difficulty. He had leg cramps necessitating 4 Advil to relieve, but I had no problem other than just walking over the lava rocks and scrambling thru the pumice near the top. The view was absolutely spectacular and the sounds of the falling rocks were magnificent. The hike down IS just as hard as climbing up. We had severe leg muscle pain for 3 days after. LOL
Reviewed by Cherie on 8/4/2006 My brother and I went up on July 25, we are both in pretty good shape and it took us about 5 hours up and 4 hours back down (just as much effort going down). It was amazing, totally worth it. Make sure to bring lots of water, there is none available once you get there. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Washington Hiking, Washington Trails, Washington Hikes, Cowlitz County Hiking, Cowlitz County Trails, Cowlitz County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||