- …
- Yak
- Quests
- Cascade Volcanoes
- Mount St. Helens
8,363 ft · Cascade Range, Washington
Mount St. Helens
Mount St. Helens is an 8,363 ft peak in the Cascade Range, Washington. The standard route is the Via Ptarmigan Trail: 8 mi, 4,639 ft of gain, Class 2.
Mount St. Helens at a glance
- Elevation8,363 ft2,549 m
- RouteVia Ptarmigan TrailClass 2
- Distance8 mi4,639 ft gain
- Time7 – 9 hrsVery Hard effort
- SeasonMay – Sep
- RangeCascade RangeWashington
Climbing the Via Ptarmigan Trail
From Cougar, Washington, drive Forest Roads 83 and 81 to the Climbers Bivouac trailhead near 3,700 feet. Monitor Ridge is a non-technical Class 2 scramble up boulder fields and volcanic ash to the crater rim, with dramatic views into the steaming dome and toward Rainier and Adams. Permits are mandatory year-round and quotas are enforced, so book well ahead. No glacier gear is needed in summer, but the loose ash is tiring and there is no water on route. Bring sun protection and plenty of fluids because the exposed slopes get hot.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (20–30 L)
Water
First aid kit
Whistle
Offline maps- Paper map
- Compass
GPS device
Satellite communicator
Headlamp
Power bank
Emergency bivy
Hiking boots
Gaiters
Microspikes
Ice axe
Helmet
Trekking poles
Base layer
Midlayer
Insulated jacket
Hardshell jacket
Hardshell pants
Warm hat
Light gloves
Midweight gloves
Buff
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- Avalanches
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Steep exposure
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
- Icy summit conditions
- Slippery terrain
Mount St. Helens on Yak
Climbers have shared 11 climbs of Mount St. Helens on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with Mount St. Helens
Cascade VolcanoesFrequently asked questions
How tall is Mount St. Helens?
Mount St. Helens is 8,363 feet (2,549 m) tall. It is in the Cascade Range, Washington.
How hard is it to climb Mount St. Helens?
The Via Ptarmigan Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 8 miles with 4,639 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to climb Mount St. Helens?
Most people take 7 – 9 hours round trip on the Via Ptarmigan Trail, covering 8 miles with 4,639 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.
Is Mount St. Helens dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Go with an experienced partner, wear a helmet, test holds before you trust them and turn back if the rock is wet or icy.
Do you need an ice axe for Mount St. Helens?
Plan on it. An ice axe is on the gear list for the Via Ptarmigan Trail for the snow and ice on the upper mountain. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
When is the best time to climb Mount St. Helens?
The usual climbing window is May to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for Mount St. Helens?
The Via Ptarmigan Trail starts at about 3,760 feet, roughly 4,603 feet below the summit.
Climb Mount St. Helens with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list