Chronicles of a ramblr

Hiking/Backpacking Sep 13, 2011 12:00 am

Duration 7h 10m, Distance 8.1 mil -Tracked by harris, on Ramblr

Mount St. Helens is an active volcano located in southwest Washington State and most notorious for its catastrophic eruption on May 18, 1980. Mount St. Helens is a popular climb for both beginning and experienced mountaineers. Although people are able to climb Mount St. Helens year-round, late spring through early fall is the most popular season. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac. This route gains 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,365 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for people in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in seven to twelve hours. I recommend to camp one night at Climber's Bivouac and hit up the trail early so that you back finish hiking before sunset. While climbing to the crater rim is permitted, entry into the crater is strictly prohibited

A permit is required to climb above 4,800 feet on Mount St. Helens. There are off-season permit which are free and peak-season permit which cost $22. For off-season permits(November 1 through March 31), climbers must stop at the Lone Fir Resort on SR 503 in Cougar, WA to obtain their permit in person. You can buy peak-season permits online at "http://mshinstitute.org/index.php/climbing/obtain_a_permit". You should pick up your permit at Lone Fir Resort before you hit the trail. From May 15 through October 31, the Mount St. Helens limits permits to 100 per day to protect the volcano from over-use. Permits are given on a first-come, first-served basis. Climbers must purchase peak-season permits at least 24 hours in advance of their climb date.

Lone Fir Resort:
16806 Lewis River Road Cougar, WA 98616-9700
(360) 238-5210
* Some Car Navigations don't find the location with tits address. Please check google map before you go there.

Each climber must display a hangtag permit on his or her clothes. Permits are valid for 24 hours starting at midnight of the climb date. Groups are limited to 12 climbers. (Carried children do not need a permit, I believe you should be very strong and be in shape to carry children to the crater rim though :-)

How to get to trailhead:
CLIMBER’S BIVOUAC :

GPS Coordinates (Latitude : 46.146695, Longitude : -122.181703)

The ascent of Mount St. Helens via Monitor Ridge begins at Climber’s Bivouac, located at the end of Forest Road 8100-830 (off Forest Road 83 on the volcano’s south side). Climbers are allowed to camp at Climber’s Bivouac with a parking permit (issued with their climbing permit). Hikers who are parking at Climber’s Bivouac to use trails rather than summit the volcano must have a Northwest Forest Pass displayed on the dash of their vehicle. (Visit "http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mountsthelens/recarea/?recid=31516" for current status of Climber's bivouac.)