Mt. St. Helens, Monitor Ridge

Activity Notes

<span style="font-size: 13px;">The first recorded ascent of this peak was in 1853. Mt. St Helens was known to the local Native Americans as Lawelatla, or “Person from Whom Smoke Comes”. Mt St. Helens is one of the lower and technically easier glaciated peaks in the Pacific NW, but still a strenuous climb as the starting elevation is relatively low. St Helens is the lowest and youngest of Washington’s five volcanic peaks. The unique low timberline elevation results from the recent eruptions and from the porous thick pumice soil. The peak lost 1,312 feet as a result of the famous May 18, 1980 eruption. The views of Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams from the summit can be spectacular. Be cautious of the cornices on the summit crater! This mountain is often underestimated; exposure and route-finding challenges in low visibility can make this peak as serious as any in the Northwest.</span>

<span style="font-size: 13px;">Technically known as the Monitor Ridge trail, the “summer route” up to Mount St. Helens' crater rim is an approximately 9.5 mile round-trip hike attempted by thousands of eager adventurers every year.</span>