Mt. St. Helens killed 57 people after its 1980 eruption. The summer route to the active volcano gains 4,500' over 10 miles. The trek is challenging, but does not require technical climbing skills. Climbers’ Bivouac Trailhead is located just north of Cougar, Washington (1.75 hours northeast of Portland). Tom and I played hookie on Monday, leaving the car at 7:30am. The first two miles on the Ptarmigan Trail climb gently through cool, second-growth forests and open meadows to the Loowit Trail, which circuits the mountain.
From there, the trail ascends to Monitor Ridge, where the trek becomes more difficult and requires a climbing permit. Wooden posts guide hikers for the next 2,500 vertical feet through large boulder fields. Garden gloves come in handy during this part.
The final section climbs 1,000' through ash and scree to the crater rim. It is slow-going and mentally taxing, but easier on the feet than the relentless boulder field. Gaiters and long pants are a wise choice here.
Tom and I summited at 8,365' in about 3 hours. It is truly incredible to look over the rim into the enormous crater, with its rapidly growing dome and surrounding glacier. Mt. Rainier sits just beyond Spirit Lake to the north, while Mt. Adams is due east.
Mt. Hood floats above the blue-green hills to the south.
We eventually made our way back down, taking care in crossing the boulder fields. Earlier in the summer (with more residual snow), it is possible to glissade down part of the mountain.
We also caught up with Aunt Judy and met another pair of Pittsburgh natives who spotted our Terrible Towel. Go Steelers!
Tom and I returned to the car by 2:30pm, clocking 7 hours RT (6 hours hiking).
