When Mount St Helens erupted in 1980, it left a swath of destruction across the wilderness of Washington state. Today, you can view the aftermath of its epic eruption by hiking to the summit and gazing into its colorful, steaming crater. I climbed to the top of St Helens in August of 2024 with Annie & Eric, friends from school and locals to the area. The 8.5-mile loop to the summit required 4,655 feet of climbing through forests, boulder fields, and an ash field, followed by a precarious traverse of the volcano's crater rim. We started early to beat the heat and were rewarded with stunning, sweeping views across the Pacific Northwest that I'll never forget.
If you're interested in climbing Mount St Helens during peak season, be sure to reserve a permit at the link below:
www.recreation.gov/permits/4675309
Be sure to plan your summit of Mount St Helens ~1-2 months in advance, and come prepared with plenty of food and water, sturdy hiking boots, trekking poles, sunglasses, sun protection, a face covering, and gloves. Check the forecast and route conditions before embarking on your climb. If there is still snow on the route to the summit, bring microspikes to aid in navigating the snow. Though the route to the summit is nontechnical, come prepared with a high level of fitness. When near the crater rim, DO NOT APPROACH the edge, as cornices could collapse at any moment and are therefore dangerous to stand on. And - of course - bring a camera!
#mountsthelens #washingtonstate #hiking #nationalparks
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