Summiting Mount St. Helens: Washington's Most Active Volcano!

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like you’re walking on the moon, without leaving Earth – summiting Mount St. Helens should be on your hiking bucket list. This iconic Pacific Northwest volcano offers a unique, challenging, and wildly rewarding adventure.

On a crisp August morning, I laced up my boots, shouldered my pack, and set out to conquer one of Washington’s most famous peaks. Here’s how my day unfolded — and everything you need to know to plan your own summit.

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The Trail to the Top

The most popular summer route is Monitor Ridge, which starts at the Climbers’ Bivouac trailhead. It’s about 10 miles roundtrip with 4,500 feet of elevation gain. This is a climb, not just a hike — but it’s non-technical and accessible to anyone with determination, stamina, and a decent fitness base. It’s best to hike this trail July – September but monitor weather reports for late or early snow.

The first two miles meander through a beautiful old-growth forest. This part is peaceful, shaded, and frankly feels too easy… but don’t be fooled.

Once you emerge above treeline, the real climb begins.

View from the trail, the clouds gave us some beautiful sights and kept us cool. The wooden posts are shown here.

Boulders and Ash

After leaving the treeline, you’ll look up and see a ridge ahead of you dotted with smaller rocks and an ashy trail. From here on, the trail is marked by wooden poles, which will guide you up the ridge.

As you climb higher, the terrain shifts again – the rocks get bigger, and you’ll need your hands for balance as you navigate a non-technical boulder scramble. This was hands-down my favorite part of the climb: it felt adventurous and engaging, like a giant natural obstacle course. But I’ll be honest – it did get old after a while, especially as fatigue set in.

And then comes the final push.

The last 0.5 miles to the summit are by far the hardest. The boulders give way to a steep, soft, ash-paved path that seems to fight you for every step. Your calves will be on fire as you take two steps forward and slide one step back. It’s a test of grit and patience, but keep going. The views at the top make it all worth it.

Reaching the Crater Rim

After hours of steady climbing, I finally crested the rim and the sight took my breath away.

The massive crater opened up before me, its jagged edges framing a growing lava dome and the early morning clouds rolled through the crater. When clear, you should be able to see Spirit Lake & beyond. Be careful not to get too close to the edge, as people have fallen in.

The wind was fierce and cold at the top, but I couldn’t stop smiling. Standing on the edge of that crater was surreal and rewarding. The crater was reminiscent of my love for Koko Head in Hawaii.

Permits

You’ll need a climbing permit to summit Mount St. Helens between April 1 and October 31 — and these sell out fast. Permits are released in one-month increments, on the first day of the preceding month at 7:00 AM Pacific Standard Time. For example: if you want to climb in August, permits become available on July 1 at 7:00 AM PST.

You can register and purchase your permit through the official site at Recreation.gov.

🚨 Pro tip: set up your account and log in ahead of time, because they can go quickly, especially for summer weekends.

Gear & Equipment

This isn’t a trail you want to show up to unprepared — the terrain, weather, and elevation gain are no joke. Here are my personal recommendations for what to pack and why:

🥾 Hiking poles — Even if you don’t normally use them, they’re a lifesaver, especially on the steep, loose ash section coming downhill.

🎒 Gloves — Protect your hands during the boulder scramble and also from the sun!

🌲 Gaiters — Optional but worth it if you don’t want your shoes filling with ash and tiny rocks.

🏔 Hiking boots — Good grip and solid ankle support. Rolling an ankle here would ruin your day fast.

🥾 Daypack — Big enough to carry your layers, water, snacks, and the 10 essentials.

🎒Water bladder (3L) — There are no water sources on the climb, so you have to carry all your water. A 3-liter bladder saves time and hassle. Bring a smaller lightweight bottle for electrolytes, or pack electrolyte capsules (like this brand). We also stashed a cold Gatorade at the bottom to enjoy after the hike — highly recommend!

🌲 Sun hoodie — After you leave the forest, there’s zero shade. A light, breathable sun hoodie keeps UV off your skin.

🏔 Sunglasses & hat — More sun protection, and sunglasses are part of the 10 essentials.

🥾 Garmin inReach (or other satellite communicator) — This is a HARD trail and best suited for in-shape, experienced hikers. That said, accidents do happen here and people have been seriously or fatally injured on this route. Better to have SOS signaling and peace of mind. (We did get a bit of cell signal at the summit, too!)

🎒 Map — Download an offline map of the route to your phone or bring a paper map as backup.

🌲 Warm hat & gloves — It’s windy and cold at the crater rim, no matter how warm it feels lower down.

🏔 Snacks, snacks, and more snacks — You’ll be burning a ton of calories, and you’ll need the energy to keep going.

Where to stay:

We started our hike early and used our car camping set ups to get a restful night sleep in the parking lot. There are also plenty of camping spots here! If that isn’t for you, you have a few options:

Hotels:

Lone Fir Resort: The closest accommodation to the trailhead. We stopped here for food on the way to the trail.

Lewis River Inn: Highly rated, but a little farther. It’s in a local town called Woodland and closer to the expressway.

VRBO:

Many of these require 2-night stays, but there are more options closer to the trailhead.

Rustic Cougar Cabin WITH firepit: 1b1b, pet friendly and sleeps five

Cougar Lake House: 2b2b, pet friendly and sleeps six

Lake Swift Lodge: 4b4b, pet friendly and sleeps twelve

Saint Helen’s House, Yale Lake: 2b1b, pet friendly and sleeps six

Lakewood Retreat with hottub: 4b3b and sleeps 10

Final Thoughts

Summiting Mount St. Helens isn’t just another hike – it’s an experience that stays with you. It’s dusty and demanding, but it’s also a reminder of the earth’s incredible power and resilience.

If you’ve been on the fence about tackling this volcano, let this be your sign: you can do it. Take it slow, respect the mountain, and soak in every gritty, windswept, awe-inspiring moment.

Have questions about planning your climb? Drop them in the comments below or reach out. I’d love to help you prepare for this unforgettable adventure!

Let’s keep wandering. 🌋

— Am

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring the world through hiking, food, culture, and the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.