- 100 Classic Hikes of Washington
Comprehensive Guide to the Mount St Helens Summit Trail
One of the most exhilarating trails in Washington is the summit to the crater rim of Mount St. Helens. As one of the most famous active volcanoes on Washington, the area is a fanciful combination of growth and destruction from the eruption in 1980. Now, you can complete the trek up the Mount St Helens Summit!
This 8.5-mile trail has almost 4,600 feet of elevation gain making it a strenuous trail in the Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument.
This blog post reviews everything you need to know before and during your trek to this iconic summit! Let’s get into it.
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Everything You Need to Know About Hiking the Mount St Helens Summit Trail
Mount St Helens erupted in 1980 and has been in a period of growth ever since. The bright green of the trees around the volcano is a stark contrast to the ashy rock.
Even as an active volcano, people flock to the Climber Bivouac to start the trek up to the crater rim.
This post details everything you need to know about getting to the trailhead, what to expect along your hike, a packing guide, and answers to commonly asked questions.
General Inforation About the Mount St Helens Summit Trail
Before starting your trek up to the Mount St Helens Crater Rim, here is everything you need to know about getting to the trailhead!
Region: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Distance: 8.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,600 ft
Level: Strenuous
Time: 8+ Hours
When to go: June – Oct
Pass/Permit?: National Forest Pass and Climbing Permit
Dogs Allowed?: No
Where is the trailhead located?
Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument is located on the ancestral lands of theCayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Cowlitz, Klickitat tribes as well as the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Siletz Indians.
We are grateful for the stewards of this land past and present. We are honored to be and recognize that we are guests on this land.
Getting to the trail
The trailhead is located in the Climber’s Bivouac at the end of National Forest Service Road 830.
Driving on I-5, take exit 22 in Woodland, WA. Continue onto Route 503/Lewis River Rd. through Cougar, WA and Yale, WA before turning left on NF-83. Verge left onto FS-81 and turn right on 830 Road. There are signs that direct you to the Climber’s Bivouac.
830 ends at the Climbers Bivouac where you can find campsites to stay at before and/or after your climb up to Mount St Helens Summit.
If there are no campsites available, there are plenty of dispersed campsites along 830.
Trailhead facilities
The trailhead has four pit toilets, multiple garbage cans, campsites, and information about the park and trail.
Campsites have fire pits and plenty of spaces to pitch tents and put out camp chairs.
Season to Viist
The trail is best visited between June and October. Outside of those months, trail conditions and weather can be dangerous.
Passes/Permits
Climbing permits are required for Mount St. Helens summit.
Reservations for permits can be made at recreation.gov beginning the 1st of the month prior to the month you wish to climb.
Climbing permits cost $15 per person with a $6 transaction fee.
Groups can be a max of 12.
For more information about climbing permits, reference the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Webpage.
Hiking the Mount St Helens Summit Trail
Summiting Mount Saint Helens in the summer months is done using the Ptarmigan Trail. Here is what you can expect while hiking this phenomenal and breathtaking (literally) trail in Washington.
This trail recap is going to be broken up by the major types of terrain that you will encounter along the 4.2-mile trek to the crater rim of this iconic Washington Volcano.
Forested Section
The trailhead begins in the climber’s bivouac. At the trail entrance, be sure to sign into the permit book so the Park Service can keep track of the permit users on the trail that day, when they begin the trek, and when they finish the trek.
The forested section of the Mount St Helens Summit Trail is about two miles gaining 550 ft of elevation. The gentle grade of this section of trail makes for a phenomenal warm-up for what is to come.
While making this initial accent, a section of trees opens up offering spectacular views of Mount Adams to the right.
At roughly 1.8 miles in, the summit trail crosses the Loowit Trail which circumvents the base of Mount St Helens. Continue straight onto the Monitor Ridge Trail which is marked via trail sign. There is a restroom here, however in mid-July 2024 the pit toilet was still boarded up with no indication that it will be open in the future.
Continue an additional 0.2 miles to enter the beginning of the permitted area for Mount St Helens. Get a nice breather here before beginning the true ascent.
At this point, you are halfway to the summit in the distance, but only about a quarter of the way in elevation gain.
Sand and stone
From Swift Creek, where the permits take effect, to the boulder field 0.5 miles ahead, the terrain changes to a mix of sand, small stones, and boulders.
At this point, you will begin following the large wooden poles along the ridgeline to stay on the trail. While you do not need to remain right next to these wooden poles to stay on the correct route, identify the next pole in the distance before foraging your own path. It can be easy to get off route and incidentally make more work for yourself.
Using hiking poles in this section is recommended to maintain proper balance when the sand shifts beneath your feet or your foot snags on a rock.
In this 0.5-mile section of trail, you will gain 1,500ft of elevation.
Boulder Field
The boulder field of the Mount St Helens Summit via Ptarmigan Trail route is a test of physical and mental strength. This 0.7-mile-long section offers glimpses of what’s to come while straddling the Monitor Ridge Line.
Some of the boulders in the area stand at over six feet in height while some are loose and wobbly. Each poses its challenges while you continue your trek to the crater rim of Mt. St. Helens.
On either side of the Monitor Ridge Line are large snow fields with glisading tracks in them. However, by mid-summer, you will be able to hear water running underneath the snow. It is imperative to use caution.
Eventually, you will reach a flat platform. This is an excellent place to take a quick break before completing the next and last section of the trail, the ash field.
By the end of the boulder field, there is still 1,100 feet of elevation gain before reaching the crater rim.
Ash Field
This section of trail is described as “one step forward and two steps back” as you hike almost vertically on piles of ash, sand, and small rocks. With every step you take, you will feel your feet sliding back down.
The last 1,100 feet of elevation gain occurs over 0.5 miles in distance. At this point, you will be able to see people at the rim of the crater. This hopefully provides a boost of motivation to keep your legs going to reach the pinnacle of the hike.
This section is a straight shot to the rim and at times can be extremely dusty due to wind near the summit. It is recommended to bring a pair of goggles or full-coverage sunglasses.
Crater Rim
The rim of Mount St Helens National Volcanic Monument has breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Hood, and occasionally Mount Jefferson.
The lava dome in the center of the crater is surrounded by water from the melting snow.
There are small flags around the rim indicating a safe boundary for visitors to stand. Walking past these flags has inherent risks from falls and breaking cornice.
Upon reaching the rim, there is an option to hike to the left towards the true summit of Mount St Helens. This is a short side trek that is worth the additional effort for the views.
Take your time at the rim, enjoy the views, refueling, and drinking plenty of water.
Hiking Back Down
The hike back down to the trailhead will take significantly less time than the way up. While the Ash Field section up was one step backward for every two steps forward, every step down is the equivalent of three.
Between the Ash Field and Bouldering Section, there are plenty of places where a person could glissade. If you do this, you will want either an ice ax or hiking poles to use for arresting your slide.
The Sand and Stone section is easy to follow, but be on the lookout for the “blue arrow” which indicates the turn-off into the forest. This sign can be easy to miss when you’re not looking for it and can result in getting lost.
What Should You Pack to Summit Mount St Helens?
The hike to the crater rim of Mount St Helens is not your typical hike. While there are the typical ten essentials of hiking, there are some additional items worth bringing on this trek.
Hiking Clothes and Accessories
Something to keep in mind with this trail is that by mid-day you will be fully exposed to the sun.
The trees in the forested section offer a bit of shade and Monitor Ridge can also protect you from the sun, however wearing clothes specialized in protecting you from high sun exposure is key for this trail.
The Backcountry Tahoe Sunshirt is the best sun hoodie. The light materials and 50 SPF sun protection make it perfect for a day in the sun.
The REI Sahara Convertible Pants are perfect for this trail, because you have the option to wear them as shorts or as pants. If you find yourself glisading on the trail, pants are highly recommended.
Wool socks are imperative to this hike, because they will help protect your feet from blisters.
Sturdy boots are recommended for this trail. The rocky terrain can be tough on the soles of feet. The high tops of the boots also helps keep small rocks and sand out of your shoes.
Any hat will do, this just happens to be my favorite because of the breathable fabric and comfortable fit.
Pack sunglasses like Tifosi SL Sunglasses that offer full coverage which can protect your eyes from high wind and dust.
Hiking Gear
Be sure to pack all of your typical hiking gear such as a first aid kit, extra snacks, and layers.
For a full breakdown of hiking essentials, check out this blog post.
Bring the Nemo Sit Pad to protect your clothes from the scratchy and porous rocks throughout the trek.
The Garmin InReach is a valuable safety device that can be used in case of an emergency. While Mount St Helens is well traveled, it can also be extremely dangerous and has resulted in death. Bringing a Garmin InReach is a good idea, especially for anyone hiking alone.
Pack between 3 and 4 liters of water. There is little to no water access along the trail and any water that is available will need to be treated. An easy way to do this is to bring a filtering water bottle like the HydraPak Flux +.
For any additional gear for the trek, consider shopping at REI so you can receive 10% back on your member purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Here are the commonly asked questions and answers about Mount St. Helens summit hike!
How long is the Mount St Helens Summit Hike?
While the hike to summit Mount St. Helens is only 8.5 miles roundtrip, with almost 4,600 feet of elevation gain the trail will take between 7-10 hours to complete.
Is Climbing Mt. St. Helens hard?
The summit trail to Mt. St. Helens is a strenuous trail. The route includes bouldering and over 4,600 feet of elevation gain. It is not a beginner friendly trail.
Do you need a permit to day hike Mt. St. helens?
Yes! There is a daily use permit that is needed for people who wish to hike to the crater rim of Mt St Helens. The permit can be purchased on recreation.gov on the first of the month PRIOR to the month you wish to summit.
Example: If you want to summit Mt St Helens in July, the permit will be released the 1st of June.
100 daily permits are available.
How Can I prepare to climb Mt. St. Helens?
One of the easiest ways to prepare is to complete trails with significant elevation gain. In the Seattle area, Mailbox Peak and Mount Si are fantastic training trails for Mt St Helens due to their high elevation gain.
Exercises that improve core and leg strength will also help prepare you for the summit. Weighted step-ups are the ultimate hiker-strengthening exercise.
Is the Mount St Helens Summit a dangerous hike?
There are many dangers on the Mount St Helens Summit, but it is not a dangerous trail.
Remaining on route, avoiding stepping close to the cornice, and taking caution when glisading can eliminate many of the dangers to the trail.
Should Mt St Helens Summit be a 100 Classic Hike of Wa?
I am hiking all “100 Classic Hikes of Washington”. But the question is, Should Mt. St Helens Summit is a 100 Classic Hike of Washington?
As one of the most memorable volcanic eruptions in the last century, Mount Saint Helens has solidified itself as an important piece of Washingtonian History.
The trek to the crater rim is just as exhilarating as it can be exhausting, but every step is worth it. The 360 views are spectacular.
I cannot recommend this hike(and scramble) enough for those who are up for the challenge.
Let me know in the comments if you think Mount St Helens should be a 100 Classic Hike of Washington!
If you’d like to complete your own 100 Classic Hikes journey, you can purchase the book here.
Pack It Up
The Mount St Helens Summit Trail is a phenomenal trail in Washington with 360 views of other promenade mountains such as Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Mount Jefferson, and Mount Hood.
The trek is steep and requires some careful footing, but the views from the top make it all worth it.
Be sure to plan your trek well in advance to get a permit for the summit and monitor trail conditions closely, especially in the late spring and early summer.
If you have any questions about the trek up to the rim of the Mount St Helens crater, drop them in the comments.
Happy Hiking!
Meet the Author -
Sarah Borgen
I am an Educator and outdoor Enthusiast based out of Seattle and writer of Exploren Borgen! My adventures consist of weekends spent in the woods, on a hike, car camping, and taking a deep breath of fresh air. When not on an adventure, you can find me in a classroom teaching high school science! I love having a job that allows me to the opportunity to discuss things like conservation, sustainability, and accessibility.
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Meet the author
Sarah Borgen, AKA your outdoor bestie
I’m an outdoorsy educator and adventure advocate, which is why I’m passionate about creating resources – like blogs, guides, and interactive maps – to simplify your travels. I’m eager to share some of Washington’s greatest destinations and hidden gems with you.
