Ape Caves
1 week ago
Cave is dark and cool, good for hot days
5 this month · 18 reports
Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge
South Cascades
updated 1 week ago
The Monitor Ridge trail on Mount St. Helens is currently snow-free and in good condition. Recent reports from September 16 and September 15 indicate the trail is clear of snow. The road to the trailhead, Climber's Bivouac, is described as rough but passable by most vehicles, with some caution advised due to potholes. However, one report from September 13 noted snow and ice on the road, though this may have been a localized or earlier condition. Wind can be a significant factor, especially near the summit, as noted on September 9 and in earlier August reports. Parking can become very limited, with one report from September 15 mentioning the lot was jam-packed with cars parked in unusual spots.
Generated from 61 trip reports. Trails change faster than reports do, so check anything you’d turn around for.
What hikers ask about Mount St. Helens - Monitor Ridge
Generated from the most recent trip reports, newest 1 week ago. Check anything you’d turn around for.
The road to Climber's Bivouac is generally described as rough but passable for most vehicles, with some caution needed for potholes as of September 16. However, one report from September 13 mentioned snow and ice on the road, suggesting conditions can vary.
The trail is currently snow-free, as indicated by reports from September 16 and September 15. Earlier reports in late July and August also confirmed no snow on the route.
The trail is reported to be in good condition, with minor obstacles posing few problems as of September 16. Reports from September 15 and September 13 also describe the trail as being in good condition.
Wind can be a significant factor, especially near the summit. Reports from September 4 and earlier in August mention strong winds, with one hiker from August 8 describing incredibly fierce wind in the scree field.
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Trail notes generated from recent reports. Conditions change fast.
Sources
Recent1 week ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
A bluebird day on Mt. St. Helens, with the bonus of a marriage proposal. (I was not proposer or proposee, just a bystander.) I had reached the rim and was working my way around toward the summit when,...
Recent1 week ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Camped there the night before. The lot had a handful of cars. When I woke up it was jam packed, cars in places I didn’t know they could be. Started later in the day than usual- a little after 11am. I ...
Recent1 week ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
The cost was $299 for a Guided Summit Climb through the Mount St. Helens Institute. You have a group maximum of 10 and typically have to sign up months in advance to secure a spot. We signed up ~4 mon...
Recent3 weeks ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
This is an update on the weather as the past days have poured snow onto the mountain. We left at 3 am to start up, cloudy not bad, get to the ridge everything is looking great. Get into the clouds so ...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Great conditions on the trail, exposed after Kiwi camp and some intermittent wind gusts. Boulder field has a few ways through and the sand/ash is a scramble, but lots of switchbacks to help. Views fro...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
Started at 5:30 AM, which allowed us to walk in the shade of the ridge,( past the forest)until we got to the rock climbing. Had good views of Hood, Adams and Rainier and could even see Jefferson. Seei...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
The road to the trailhead is in excellent condition. My party drove there in a Civic, a Prius, and a Kia Soul, all of which handled it fine. No major potholes, just a few dips here and there.The Climb...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
My group camped at the trailhead the night before, there were lots of spacious campsites available. We started hiking just before 8 am and the trail was in good shape with several stretches that were ...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
This was my second time summiting the mountain. I was lucky enough to snag a permit the week prior. I arrived at the trailhead at 6:30am and there were quite a few cars already there and still a few s...
Older1 month ago
South Cascades > Mount St. Helens
TLDR: It was windy.Full report, starting with the road:The ~3 mile unpaved road (after leaving pavement, which has occasional dips) to Climbers Bivouac is in pretty good condition. It is rocky and pot...