Volcanic Activity Information
Growth
of the new lava dome inside the crater of Mount St. Helens is in
a pause state. Please note an eruption could intensify suddenly
or with little warning and produce explosions that cause hazardous
conditions within several miles of the crater and farther downwind.
For a complete current
eruption update visit USGS
website listed below.
Please review Active
Volcano Hazards and other Climbing
Safety information. Detailed
information and FAQs about the ongoing eruption is available
by visiting the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory website.
Climbing Conditions &
Route Information
The Monitor Ridge climbing
route is the shortest and most direct route to the summit of Mount
St. Helens. From Climbers Bivouac, follow the Ptarmigan
Trail #216A to Timberline. Then follow Monitor Ridge to
the crater rim. Blue plastic diamonds help guide climbers on the
trail through the trees. Wooden route marking posts will help guide
climbers from the timberline to the upper slopes of Monitor Ridge.
The Ptarmigan trail is snow free and there are snow fields along
the upper slopes of the volcano. The round trip is approximately
10 miles.
The Worm Flows Climbing Route, from Marble Mountain
Sno-Park, Use the Swift Ski Trail, #244 to reach
timberline. Cross to the west side of Swift Creek, just above Chocolate
Falls (elev. 3,700’). Follow ridges and open slopes to the
crater rim. Wooden route marking posts guide climbers from timberline
to 4,800’ elevation.
Climbers should
expect varied conditions in terrain and weather on Mount St. Helens
and be prepared for extreme weather and rapidly changing conditions.
To reduce your
exposure to avalanche potential, avoid cornices, snow loaded slopes
and gully bottoms.
Glissading: Be aware that most accidents and injuries
occur when people sliding on snow are unable to control their speed
and stop. Be sure you can control your speed and stop safely
before you begin to glissade or slide on snow during your descent.
Additional
Sources of Information
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Parking and Road Access |
Forest Service 83 is open to the Marble
Mountain Sno-Park. Forest Road 81 is open to Forest Road 830,
which is open to the Climber's Bivouac.
DRIVE SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY!
Permits,
Fees & Registration |
Climbing permits are required year round for each
person above 4,800 feet elevation on the slopes of Mount
St. Helens.
Climbing
Permits are limited to 100 per day. Permits
are sold on-line only. Obtain permits through
www.mshinstitute.org.
Climbing permits are required for each person above
4,800 feet elevation on the slopes of Mount St. Helens.
June
6 , 2008: Mount
St. Helens Climber's Register has been moved to the
Lone Fir Resort. The
Lone Fir is located on State Route 503 in the town of
Cougar, WA at 16806 Lewis River
Rd. Phone (360) 238-5210.
The Climber's
Register is self-service and is located outside the
Lone Fir Resort. For your safety, please be sure
to sign in and sign out at the register.
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