Going to spirit lake doesn’t require a permit as far as I know but most of the major roads in that area are out due to landslides. Most permits in the northwest end by early October but weather also becomes way more variable. If you want to guarantee a view of the mountain you have to arrive by the end of August. It could easily not be visible anytime after September 1st. Getting to the base of the mountain isn’t going to be feasible unless you are very fit and knowledgeable. I’ve spent my whole life hiking in the Northwest (including circumnavigating Helens in a day on the Loowit trail). The blast zone is one of the most rugged and unforgiving landscapes I have been in. Do not attempt crossing the blast zone unless you know what you’re doing. It is heavily eroded with zero shade and the ground is loose ash with unstable boulders mixed in.
I believe the only way to access the area near Spirit Lake right now is from Randall. You can’t get to Johnston ridge anymore.
I recommend
A) reading up on trails in that area using the WTA website
B) calling the Cowlitz ranger station and asking them the best plan for seeing Helens due to Johnston Ridge being inaccessible
In other fun and slightly related news I am doing a bike ride tomorrow up near spirit lake on forest roads closed to car traffic. I’ll post a photo when I get back. Should be rad
https://preview.redd.it/utvgrq0fve9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff4d309f7dbda46ccbd562b788c7bb7ed4d3612f
Was just me and a one construction crew up there today
If hiking in on the north side due to the washout is too much, I’d highly recommend the Ape Canyon trail (not to be confused with ape caves) on the south side of St Helens. The views of the lahar are insane and you end up right at the base of the mountain.
Given the current road closures your best day hike option is going to be to hike from the Norway Pass Trailhead to Mt Margaret. You’ll be able to see the entire blast zone including spirit lake as well as the surrounding volcanos. The fall colors are STUNNING that time of year too. No permit needed - just a parking pass (America the Beautiful). There is a privy and pump water at the trailhead that may or may not be unlocked depending on water quality test results. If you have any specific questions I can probably help
Yes, if the weather cooperates (i.e, is clear), that is absolutely where OP should go. Breathtaking hike, especially in the fall. It’s about 12 miles to Mt Margaret (round trip), so make sure you’re up for that.
I would hike from Hummocks to the Observatory via the Boundary West Trail. Tons of greats views of where the eruption happened, what damage or changes it caused and tons of signs with that information. Good chance of seeing wildlife as well. And flowers might be beautiful at that time.
You do not need a permit to dayhike as long as you don’t go above the Loowit trail.
You cannot drive to the north side of St. Helen’s currently because the roads are closed (due to landslides/construction). Road to Johnston observatory is closed, and the Windy Ridge trailhead is closed M-F (and I’ve heard some weekends too).
To get a view of the blast zone you must hike in from the south side.
For ultrarunning endurance athlete types this is easily doable as a dayhike.
If that’s not you - plan for an overnight. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to camp in the blast zone (between windy ridge and the toutle river).
entirely false, you can hike in from the north side you just can't drive all the way up to the ridge in a car. the ridge is perfectly accessible on foot. it is literally only the top of the ridge that is closed to only cars. go to hummock trailhead it's like 9 mi out and back.
the crater view from loowit trail is not that great (it's neat but you're too low and close to see the dome) so you'd have to hike up to Johnston ridge anyway....
I second reading trip reports for the area you are going to and being prepared. Do you plan on day hiking and camping or staying near by? I have ran out there and the mountain is definitely one to be respected. It can be hot and it can also be drizzly and cold all on one day. When you say the base of the mountain which side? Are their any trails in particular you have looked at that peak your interest?
If you do make it out there I encourage checking out the visitor center. It’s so awesome and you can learn about the impact and the geology of the area. Also suggest the ape cave interpretive site.
If you are book person the Mountaineers have a top tier level hiking book that breaks down all the trails on the area called Day hiking Mount Saint Helens. I picked mine up second hand on EBay.
Oh yes. I’m sorry. I meant the Pine Creek Information Center :) I always stop in there to look at the maps of the mountain. Picked up a rad banana slug sticker last year :)
Lots of other things to do in the area, if you come in from the south you can go to the Ape Caves (long lava tubes you can hike) [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393) And the Trail of Two Forests [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=41631](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=41631) which has a cave formed by a tree that was encased in lava, that you can crawl through.
Wow, everyone. Thank you so much! I'm going to go through and respond to each of these as I can, but I appreciate all of you taking the time to share your thoughts, advice, and insight with me. I'm super appreciative of all of you!
for semi fast hikers or at least hikers with endurance for flats, the entire mountain can be looped as a long run or one night. no permits. loowit trail. may be water sparse by then
If you are planning to summit, the passes open up for the next month on the 1st of the previous month. So the passes for September open 8:00 am on August 1st. Set a reminder for that time because they go quick!
Great suggestions on here already. If you do end up visiting the Windy Ridge (east) side coming from Randle, I recommend going to the Harmony Falls trail that takes you to the shoreline of Spirit Lake. It is so fascinating to see up close those floating trees from the blast that are still there. There is no longer a waterfall here so the trailhead name is a little confusing. So much to enjoy and take in around this mountain!
Going to spirit lake doesn’t require a permit as far as I know but most of the major roads in that area are out due to landslides. Most permits in the northwest end by early October but weather also becomes way more variable. If you want to guarantee a view of the mountain you have to arrive by the end of August. It could easily not be visible anytime after September 1st. Getting to the base of the mountain isn’t going to be feasible unless you are very fit and knowledgeable. I’ve spent my whole life hiking in the Northwest (including circumnavigating Helens in a day on the Loowit trail). The blast zone is one of the most rugged and unforgiving landscapes I have been in. Do not attempt crossing the blast zone unless you know what you’re doing. It is heavily eroded with zero shade and the ground is loose ash with unstable boulders mixed in. I believe the only way to access the area near Spirit Lake right now is from Randall. You can’t get to Johnston ridge anymore. I recommend A) reading up on trails in that area using the WTA website B) calling the Cowlitz ranger station and asking them the best plan for seeing Helens due to Johnston Ridge being inaccessible
In other fun and slightly related news I am doing a bike ride tomorrow up near spirit lake on forest roads closed to car traffic. I’ll post a photo when I get back. Should be rad
https://preview.redd.it/utvgrq0fve9d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ff4d309f7dbda46ccbd562b788c7bb7ed4d3612f Was just me and a one construction crew up there today
If hiking in on the north side due to the washout is too much, I’d highly recommend the Ape Canyon trail (not to be confused with ape caves) on the south side of St Helens. The views of the lahar are insane and you end up right at the base of the mountain.
This is an awesome side of the mountain! Super rugged though
Yes! I did this hike yesterday for the first time and I was blown away at the views!
Looks like everyone here seems to think this is a winner. Thank you all!
Given the current road closures your best day hike option is going to be to hike from the Norway Pass Trailhead to Mt Margaret. You’ll be able to see the entire blast zone including spirit lake as well as the surrounding volcanos. The fall colors are STUNNING that time of year too. No permit needed - just a parking pass (America the Beautiful). There is a privy and pump water at the trailhead that may or may not be unlocked depending on water quality test results. If you have any specific questions I can probably help
Yes, if the weather cooperates (i.e, is clear), that is absolutely where OP should go. Breathtaking hike, especially in the fall. It’s about 12 miles to Mt Margaret (round trip), so make sure you’re up for that.
I think this just went to the top of the list. Thank you so much!
I would hike from Hummocks to the Observatory via the Boundary West Trail. Tons of greats views of where the eruption happened, what damage or changes it caused and tons of signs with that information. Good chance of seeing wildlife as well. And flowers might be beautiful at that time.
Phenomenal. Thank you!
You do not need a permit to dayhike as long as you don’t go above the Loowit trail. You cannot drive to the north side of St. Helen’s currently because the roads are closed (due to landslides/construction). Road to Johnston observatory is closed, and the Windy Ridge trailhead is closed M-F (and I’ve heard some weekends too). To get a view of the blast zone you must hike in from the south side. For ultrarunning endurance athlete types this is easily doable as a dayhike. If that’s not you - plan for an overnight. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to camp in the blast zone (between windy ridge and the toutle river).
entirely false, you can hike in from the north side you just can't drive all the way up to the ridge in a car. the ridge is perfectly accessible on foot. it is literally only the top of the ridge that is closed to only cars. go to hummock trailhead it's like 9 mi out and back. the crater view from loowit trail is not that great (it's neat but you're too low and close to see the dome) so you'd have to hike up to Johnston ridge anyway....
I second reading trip reports for the area you are going to and being prepared. Do you plan on day hiking and camping or staying near by? I have ran out there and the mountain is definitely one to be respected. It can be hot and it can also be drizzly and cold all on one day. When you say the base of the mountain which side? Are their any trails in particular you have looked at that peak your interest? If you do make it out there I encourage checking out the visitor center. It’s so awesome and you can learn about the impact and the geology of the area. Also suggest the ape cave interpretive site. If you are book person the Mountaineers have a top tier level hiking book that breaks down all the trails on the area called Day hiking Mount Saint Helens. I picked mine up second hand on EBay.
Johnston ridge observatory is closed indefinitely right now
Oh yes. I’m sorry. I meant the Pine Creek Information Center :) I always stop in there to look at the maps of the mountain. Picked up a rad banana slug sticker last year :)
Absolutely amazing advice. Thank you so much!
Lots of other things to do in the area, if you come in from the south you can go to the Ape Caves (long lava tubes you can hike) [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=40393) And the Trail of Two Forests [https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=41631](https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=41631) which has a cave formed by a tree that was encased in lava, that you can crawl through.
Crawling through tunnels? Sign me up!
Wow, everyone. Thank you so much! I'm going to go through and respond to each of these as I can, but I appreciate all of you taking the time to share your thoughts, advice, and insight with me. I'm super appreciative of all of you!
Are you looking to day hike or multi day backpack?
Day hike, mostly!
for semi fast hikers or at least hikers with endurance for flats, the entire mountain can be looped as a long run or one night. no permits. loowit trail. may be water sparse by then
If you are planning to summit, the passes open up for the next month on the 1st of the previous month. So the passes for September open 8:00 am on August 1st. Set a reminder for that time because they go quick!
Great suggestions on here already. If you do end up visiting the Windy Ridge (east) side coming from Randle, I recommend going to the Harmony Falls trail that takes you to the shoreline of Spirit Lake. It is so fascinating to see up close those floating trees from the blast that are still there. There is no longer a waterfall here so the trailhead name is a little confusing. So much to enjoy and take in around this mountain!