From April 1 — May 14 , climbers are allowed per day. The most popular period is the warm months from May 15 — October 31 , where only climbers are allowed each day for the Mount Saint Helens hike.
My recommendations for getting a permit are to apply as soon as the applications open and pick a weekday when you want to do the Mt. Helens summit hike, as weekend permits go quickly. If you plan on climbing Mt. There are rangers that are stationed here daily who will be checking for your Mt. Helens climbing permit. You should consider that inclement weather might make you turn around due to safety reasons when you climb Mount Saint Helens.
Helens summit weather. Being able to see Mount Rainier during my trip in the summer was one of the highlights. However, I would say the majority of people prefer hiking in drier conditions. For me personally, I think the best time to hike Mt. Helens is during the summer. Summer hikes are preferable because the early mornings will be cooler when you start, the weather should be pleasant and dry for the most part, and your chances of a stunning view are higher. These are just additional reasons I think the warmer part of the year is the best time to climb Mt.
It took my group, who I would consider moderately fit, about 10 hours to hike to the Mt. Helens summit and back. We started a little before 5 am, summitted at 10 am, enjoyed the view for an hour, and then got back to camp around 3 pm. That means getting to the top took about 5 hours and it took 4 hours to come back down.
Some people in my group struggled with the boulder section and needed more time. My biggest struggle was my hip flexor decided to give out halfway down the mountain on the way back and I had to go much slower than I wanted due to the pain. One of the top questions I get is how hard is it to climb Mt.
To start, this is a mile roundtrip hike with a 4,foot elevation gain. Going on several hikes around Seattle that are between miles with a 3,, foot elevation will help you get in shape. I also did Mt. Ellinor during my training, which is one of the best Olympic National Park hikes to help you train for this. I added the Stairmaster to my routine a few times a week towards the last few months.
You can put it on interval or fat burning mode, both of which have periods of increased resistance mixed with periods of rest. This type of training will prepare you better for the steep parts of the climb where you want to give up. While this might seem like a strange activity to add to a hike training plan, I recommend taking going to an indoor climbing gym a few times before your hike.
The middle section of the Mt. Helens climb has very large boulders, and I actually felt this was the easier part because I had previous knowledge of how to alternate using my arms and legs from rock climbing in the past. As far as hydration goes, the most important thing to note is there are no water sources anywhere on the hike, including the trailhead. That means you need to bring all the water you plan on having.
I recommend bringing five liters of water for climbing Mt. Some ideas for snacks when you climb Mt. Helens are dried fruit, trail mix, chocolate-covered coffee beans, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or jerky. They are all pretty easy to digest and give you the boost of energy you need. Another trick I used was taking an energy chew or two when I wanted energy without taking a break.
Are dogs allowed? Can I fly a drone? Get answers to these questions and more by visiting our FAQ page! Wind, snow, rain, or sun - Mount St. Helens experiences all kinds of conditions and can vary widely week to week, find out the latest on the climbing route by visiting our Current Conditions page. See our curated list of clothing and equipment recommended by MSHI guides, volunteers, and past participants.
Climbing Mount St. Helens requires physical and mental stamina. Train your body and your brain as you approach your climb. Climbing an active volcano has associated risks. Mt St Helens is hard. At least it is for me. However, I can absolutely do it, and you can too! The most important thing you can do is to do lots of hiking leading up to it. Ideally, you are getting out all winter and never have an off season!
More details about the trail itself will be covered below in the trail description. An important part of preparation for any hike, especially one as strenuous as this, is to prepare to make good decisions and turn around if needed.
I turned around twice before my third attempt where I reached the summit. This is covered in the next section. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a trip where planning ahead, making a list and double and triple checking your pack and your thinking is absolutely essential.
As mentioned, camp at or near the trailhead so you can get an early start. The first 2 or so miles is an typical western Washington trail hike through the forest. After about 2 miles of gentle climbing through the forest, you will reach the end of the trees and see a steep section with lots of rocks ahead of you. The next couple of miles will have a trail at times, but also a lot of time using your hands. There are never steep drop offs right next to you, but you will frequently be using your hands.
The trail is marked in this section by wooden poles, and you just go from one pole to the next. This section goes on for a long time! However, the view is spectacular. As you get higher, you see Mt Adams next to you, volcanic rocks and ash everywhere, permanent icefields and the occasional hardy wildflower.
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