around 32 miles.
The Loowit trail circumnavigates Mount St. Helens in around 32 miles. To be sure, this is a challenging route becauase the trail climbs in and out of the many gullies that form the flanks of this mountain.
How long of a hike is Mt Saint Helens?
This route gains 4,500 feet in five miles to the crater rim at 8,328 feet elevation. Although strenuous, this non-technical climb is suitable for experienced hikers in good physical condition who are comfortable scrambling on steep, rugged terrain. Most climbers complete the round trip in eight to twelve hours.
Can you hike Mt St Helens in a day?
How Long It Takes to Climb Mt St Helens. During the summer it can take anywhere from 6-12 hours roundtrip to climb the mountain. 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.
Can you hike around Mt St Helens?
Although people are able to climb Mount St. Helens year-round, late spring through early fall is the most popular season. Most climbers use the Monitor Ridge Route from Climbers Bivouac. A climbing permit is required year-round.
Where is the best view of Mt 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 much does it cost to climb Mt St Helens?
$15 per person per day
Climbing permits cost $15 per person per day. A $6 reservation fee is charged per transaction. The purchaser of the climbing permit may make a reservation for up to 12 total climbing group members. The permit purchaser must be included in the climbing group.
Is Mt St Helens worth it?
Is Mount St Helens worth visiting? In a word, yes! If seeing an active volcano in person excites you, then you will get a kick out of visiting Mt St Helens. It is incredible (and a little scary) to see the destruction wreaked by the 1980 eruption and that even after 40 years it is still so evident on the landscape.
Is Mt St Helens easy to hike?
Mount St. Helens National Monument is a destination that has something for everyone – short hikes and excellent visitor centers for families, moderate hikes with grand views for day hikers, and extremely difficult terrain and true solitude for backcountry enthusiasts. In 1980, when Mount St.
What is the best time to visit Mt St Helens?
Summer is the best time to visit Mt St Helens, since it really isn’t accessible in the winter. The Spirit Lake Highway which takes you from I-5 to Johnston Ridge is only open in the summer, generally mid-May through October.
What do I need to hike Mt St Helens?
You will need a climbing permit to summit Mt St. Helens year-round. April 1 to October 31 you get it from Recreation.gov and they are limited to a certain number of climbers per day to reduce traffic and protect the natural features and ecosystem.
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.
Can you hike Mt St Helens without a permit?
A valid permit is required year round to climb Mount St. Helens. Entry into the crater of the volcano is strictly prohibited.
How do you explore Mt St Helens?
The best place to start exploring the monument is the Mount St. Helens Visitor Center at Silver Lake (tel. 360/274-0962; www.parks.wa.gov/mountsthelens.asp), operated by Washington State Parks and located at Silver Lake, 5 miles east of Castle Rock on Wash.
How many miles is it to the top of Mt St Helens?
five miles
Helens. Yes, this is the same mountain that had an explosion in 1980. That means yes, you’ll be climbing an active volcano. While it’s five miles to the top, a 4,000-foot elevation gain is no joke.
What is the closest town to Mt St Helens?
The community nearest the volcano is Cougar, Washington, in the Lewis River valley 11 miles (18 km) south-southwest of the peak. Gifford Pinchot National Forest surrounds Mount St. Helens.
Can you see Mt St Helens from the road?
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.
Can you go inside Mt. St. Helens?
One does not simply walk into a volcanic crater. Technically, access to the heart of Mount St. Helens is prohibited by the U.S. Forest Service for administrative and ecological reasons; the fragile zone is a living geology lab, with only scientists allowed in.
Where should I stay when climbing Mt. St. Helens?
11 Best Places to Stay Near Mount St. Helens, Washington
- Red Lion Hotel – Kelso/Longview. Credit: redlion.com.
- Lakefront Lodge on Lake Swift – Skamania County.
- Cougar House – Cougar.
- Silver Lake Resort – Silverlake.
- Mt.
- Private One-Bedroom Cabin – Battle Ground.
- Lewis River Inn – Woodland.
- Lone Fir Resort – Cougar.
How many people climb Mt. St. Helens each year?
Just getting permission to hike Monitor Ridge, the standard summer route up the mountain, requires planning in advance and applying online for a permit. Nearly 14,000 people attempt St. Helens every year—and undoubtedly far more would if there were no permit system. You’d almost think it was an easy hike.
How likely is it that Mt. St. Helens will erupt?
Yes, it is extremely likely that Mt. St. Helens will erupt again. The average eruption recurrence interval is every 100-300 years.
Does Spirit Lake still exist?
More than 40 years after the explosive eruption of Mount St. Helens, relics from the blast continue to haunt nearby Spirit Lake. The remains of thousands of trees that were violently stripped from the mountainside in 1980 still float on the lake in 2021.