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Aerial view Mount St. Helens crater rim and lava dome,
as seen from the southeast.
USGS Photo by Lyn Topinka, May 6, 1987
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- From Interstate 5 -- take Exit 21 (Woodland Exit)
- Travel east on Highway 503 and then USFS Road 90, approximately
35.7 miles to junction of USFS Roads 83 and 90.
- Turn north (left) onto USFS Road 83 and proceed
another 3.2 miles to the junction of USFS Roads 83 and 81.
- Turn on to USFS Road 81.
- Proceed 1.8 miles to intersection of USFS Roads 81 and 830.
- Turn on to
USFS Road 830 to Ptarmigan Trail and Climber's Bivouac.
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Climber's Bivouac and Ptarmigan Trail
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At 8,365 feet, the rim of Mount St. Helens provides outstanding views of the
crater, lava dome, blast area, and surrounding volcanic peaks. The most popular
route to the summit is Monitor Ridge, starting at Climber's Bivouac.
Most climbers complete the round trip in 7 to 12 hours. The route begins on the
Ptarmigan Trail #216A which gently climbs for about 2 miles to timberline.
Above timberline, the route travels over steep, blocky lava flows on the lower
slopes and loose, sandy volcanic ash on the upper slopes. In early summer, snow
is commonly encounted, especially in gully bottoms.
-- Excerpt from:
U.S. Forest Service,
Volcano Review: A Visitor's Guide to Mount St. Helens
National Volcanic Monument: Summer/Fall 1998
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Climb a Volcano - Mount St. Helens
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Link to: USFS Climbing and Permits Information
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Other Nearby Points of Interest
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Mount St. Helens
Points of Interest -
Interactive Imagemap
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Ape Cave and Lava Cast Forest (south)
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Jacks Restaurant and Climbing Registration (west)
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Lahar Viewpoint (east)
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Link to: USFS Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
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