Please visit Mount St. Helens Institute or call 360-449-7883 for information on climbing and current conditions. Questions about transactions, purchasing, or modifying of permits should be directed to Recreation.gov Contact Us. Between April and October, climbing is limited to reduce impact on the volcano.
Do you need a reservation for Mt St Helens?
Climbing permits are required year round on Mount St. Helens. In an effort to reduce crowding and protect natural features, from April 1 to October 31 the number of climbers per day is subject to a quota. Group size is limited to 12 individuals.
Can I climb Mt St Helens without a permit?
Climbing Permits are required year-round for each person and each day they will be traveling above 4800 ft elevation, on the slopes of Mount St. Helens. April 1- November 30: Climbing permits are sold online, in-advance, on a first-come, first-served basis on Recreation.gov.
How much does it cost to go to Mt St Helens?
Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake are: Ages 6 and younger: Free. Ages 7 to 17: $2.50. Ages 18 and older: $5.
Where can I buy a Mt St Helens permit?
Recreation.gov. New
Purchasing Climbing Permits for Mount St. Helens. Permits will go on sale March 1, 2021 at 7:00 a.m. PDT at: Recreation.gov. New in 2021: Starting at 7:00 am on March 1, 2021, all climbing permits for the month of April will be available for purchase through Recreation.gov.
What pass do I need for Mt St Helens?
Monument passes are required at the Johnston Ridge Observatory and adjacent trails and can be purchased at the Johnston Ridge Observatory. On the Eastside and Southside of the monument, a National Forest Recreation Pass is required at designated sites. The cost is $5 per vehicle per day. Annual passes are $30.
What time should you start hiking Mt St Helens?
Starting from Climber’s Bivouac most people start early in the morning and finish around noon time. We also saw other people starting later in the day as we were just returning to our car. We woke up around 4:30am, partly from excitement, and started our hike around 5am in the morning.
What do I need to know before climbing Mt St Helens?
Most climbers complete the round trip in eight to twelve hours. While climbing to the crater rim is permitted, entry into the crater is strictly prohibited. Climbing Permits are required for climbs between April 1 – October 31. Permits are sold through recreation.gov in March.
Can you drive up to Mt St Helens?
One of the main roads into Mount St. Helens, State Route 504 provides spectacular views of the landscape, including the crater, blast zone, and Toutle River Valley. At the end of the road is Johnston Ridge Observatory, a popular visitor center that is open daily mid-May through October.
How do I get a bus pass in St Helens?
You can purchase your bus pass on campus or alternatively, through our online shop: sales.sthelens.ac.uk/collections/bus-passes. For more information on free travel, please speak to Student Services on 01744 623223.
Can you visit Mt St Helens right now?
Current Conditions: State Route 504 is open. Johnston Ridge Observatory is open 10am-6pm 7 days a week. Forest Road 83 open to its terminus at Lava Canyon.
Is car parking free in St Helens?
Charges. On-street pay and display parking is available on a number of streets in or around the town centre. All locations are pay & display – pay by contactless card payment, cash or Pay by Phone/App.
Which side of Mt St Helens is best?
The two most popular (due to easiest access and most advertisements and signage) are both along WA-504, east of the Castle Rock exit on I-5. The first one you come to is the Mt St. Helens Visitor Center by Silver Lake (6.9 miles -12 minutes – from I-5) and is a Washington State Park.
What zone is Mt St Helens?
| Mount St. Helens | |
|---|---|
| Mountain type | Active stratovolcano (Subduction zone) |
| Volcanic arc | Cascade Volcanic Arc |
| Last eruption | 2004–2008 |
| Climbing |
Where is the best place to view Mount St. Helens?
Seattle, Washington
The Johnston Ridge Observatory provides the closest and most direct views into the crater of Mt St Helens. It is high on a ridge directly in the path of the blast zone that blew out the top and north side of the mountain in the 1980 eruption.
How do I visit Mt St Helens?
Access to the area requires an $8 per person Monument Pass. The visitor’s center at the Johnston Ridge Observatory hosts interpretive displays that tell the story of Mount St. Helens and its eruption. The center’s interactive exhibits allow visitors to learn more about the area’s unique geology and history.
Can you self shuttle St Helens?
Self driving is an option or there are shuttles available from Derby or St Helens.
Do you need an ice AXE to climb Mt St Helens?
The Worm Flows Climbing Route, from Marble Mountain Snow-Park, is the most direct route to the summit of Mount St. Helens during the winter season. Ice axe, crampons, and avalanche awareness are recommended on this route. Skis with climbing skins or snowshoes with cleats are also highly recommended.
Are there bears around Mt St Helens?
Black bears had little reason to venture into the blast area for several years after the eruption as little food was available for them. However, as young conifers grew and berry-producing plants became more abundant, black bears were routinely observed in the blowdown zone foraging on conifer bark and berries.
Is it better to hike in the morning or evening?
The best time of day to hike is in the morning, due to pleasant daytime temperatures and calmer weather with less chance of rain. Additionally, there is more available parking space and longer potential daylight hours for longer hikes.
What should you do the morning before a hike?
Eat a combination of complex carbohydrates and lean protein, 1-3 hours before a hike, for example:
- A peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread.
- Greek yogurt with berries.
- Oatmeal with low fat milk and fruit.
- Apple and peanut butter.
- A handful of nuts and raisins (2 parts raisins, 1 part nuts)