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Featured Route Mount St. Helens Climb (Spring), Cougar, WA

Mount St. Helens Climb (Spring)

Region:
Southwest Washington
Elev. Gain: 
5,600 ft.
High: 
8,365 ft.
Where:
Cougar, WA
Distance: 
10.25 miles (round trip)
Difficulty: 
Expert
Rating: 
5
Challenging hike to the top of one of the world's most famous volcanoes
Mount St. Helens as seen from FS Road 83
Swift Trail trailhead
Good signage in the lower portion of the trail
Easy going in the first few miles of the climb
Leaving the forest and beginning the steeper exposed section of the climb
Permits are required to climb above 4,800'
Lunch break at 5,600' near a USGS seismometer station
Looking down into a worm flow
Chris points out a interesting feature in a worm flow
Pushing hard in unison towards the upper reaches of St. Helens
Final broad slope to the crater rim
Brian hangs loose at 8,000' with a Tmber shirt on
Group photo on the crater rim
Looking north down the crater towards Spirit Lake
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Features

dogs allowed, views & summits, multiple day

Overview

Climbing to the top of one of the world's most famous volcanoes is an unforgettable experience, and we highly recommend that you put it on your list and get here soon. Whether you find geology exciting or not, we can guarantee there is nothing quite like standing on the edge of an active volcano. The power of those subterranean forces inspires fear and wonder at the same time. Shivers up the spine. Definitely come check it out.

Permits & Tips

Climbing permits are required year-round above 4,800 feet, and fees vary depending on season. Find out how to obtain a permit, where to pick it up, and how much it costs on the Mount St. Helens Institute's climbing page. In addition, Washington State Sno-Park permits are required to park from November to April, and a Northwest Forest Pass is required from May to October.

Pit toilets available at trailhead. Parking is shared with snowmobilers, and can be crowded on weekends. This is a big climb, bring plenty of food and water and be in good physical shape to even attempt. Most people do this climb in a day, but we've seen snow-camping at 3,500' in early spring. Dogs allowed but not recommended as there is no rescue system.

Please, please, please stay away from the cornices on the crater rim. They are highly unstable and dangerous.

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