Climbers Bivouac

Finally got permits to climb to the crater rim. The trailhead is reached via a bumpy but apparently well maintained gravel road. The camp was tidy with simple outhouses and no running water or power. The hike is somewhat strenuous, due to the long and step section of large volcanic boulders followed by loose rock and ash near the top. Also, in often windy conditions, you will want protective glas... Finally got permits to climb to the crater rim. The trailhead is reached via a bumpy but apparently well maintained gravel road. The camp was tidy with simple outhouses and no running water or power. The hike is somewhat strenuous, due to the long and step section of large volcanic boulders followed by loose rock and ash near the top. Also, in often windy conditions, you will want protective glasses and a face mask to keep the ashes from irritating your eyes or lungs...

Great trailhead - good parking, bathrooms with toilet paper, even a blue bag dispenser and deposit. The trail itself is well maintained. It's a gain of 4500 or so feet in 4.5 miles. It feels like double that I'm the snow. 2 miles of forest, a little over a mile of boulder hopping, and a mile or so of sandy volcanic soil leading to a view of the Crater spewing steam ( at least while we were the... Great trailhead - good parking, bathrooms with toilet paper, even a blue bag dispenser and deposit. The trail itself is well maintained. It's a gain of 4500 or so feet in 4.5 miles. It feels like double that I'm the snow. 2 miles of forest, a little over a mile of boulder hopping, and a mile or so of sandy volcanic soil leading to a view of the Crater spewing steam ( at least while we were there) and an incredible view of the mountains in the distance. Bring water, good shoes, micro spikes for the snow, sunglasses and sunscreen or look like us (picture Princess Peach having been hit by a fireball), and some determination. Pay CLOSE attention when leaving the treeline - it looks different on the way back and some of the guide poles are down. Prepare for a life-changing view - we are so small and insignificant. An amazing experience - Highly recommend.

Easy to find, lots of parking, restrooms are disgusting but that’s to be expected in the middle of the forest. Trail was beautiful took us five hours to get to the top and four hours to get down including a lunch break and 40 minutes at the peak. There was a Mt. Saint Helens volunteer at the top with lots of information about the mountains, lakes and surrounding forest. Hard trail, but it’s always... Easy to find, lots of parking, restrooms are disgusting but that’s to be expected in the middle of the forest. Trail was beautiful took us five hours to get to the top and four hours to get down including a lunch break and 40 minutes at the peak. There was a Mt. Saint Helens volunteer at the top with lots of information about the mountains, lakes and surrounding forest. Hard trail, but it’s always worth it!

The hike to the summit! Been wanting to do this one for a long time and finally achieved it. Out of the most of the big summits near I’ve heard this was always the easiest because there’s not actual climbing involved but it is still a grind. Steep uphill battle the whole time. There are lots of rocks to get over and false peaks. All the stats I saw for the hike were about 8 miles but I ended the d... The hike to the summit! Been wanting to do this one for a long time and finally achieved it. Out of the most of the big summits near I’ve heard this was always the easiest because there’s not actual climbing involved but it is still a grind. Steep uphill battle the whole time. There are lots of rocks to get over and false peaks. All the stats I saw for the hike were about 8 miles but I ended the day with about 11. About nearly 5,000 feet elevation gain too. I think it took about 8 hours up and down roughly. Took my time though. The views the whole way up were really nice. The views at the top were insane! Seeing the broken mountain/volcano was insane. There was minor smoke coming from the center which was amazing. You can see all the surrounding peaks and mountains as well and spirit lake. It’s out of this world once you’re at the top and nothing like it. Very unique and very rewarding to accomplish this hike! Very popular and a lot of people going or at least attempting this hike. This one you definitely want to leave early in the day because it can eat up the whole day. Bring lots of water, food, snacks and change of cloths hot and cold. I even had warm cloths but at the top the wind was so strong I couldn’t stay up there for long.