We could not have asked for better weather for this one! Well worth the effort, but definitely a challenging one. It took us about 5 hours to make it up, taking plenty of breaks. We spent an hour up top and then took 3 hours to get back down. It was our first time up and route finding can definitely be a challenge, so make sure you have your navigation and maps.

This was my second time up this trail, the most spectacular hike I've done, and it was even better than the first.

One thing I did differently this time was to spend the preceding night in a cabin at the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar, instead of in an inadequate sleeping bag (my fault!) at the bivouac. That allowed me to get a good night's sleep and still hit the trail at 6:30 AM.

The road to the bivouac has some very nasty waves and potholes. Any car can make it, but be very cautious. I drove in when it was dark and found the low-angle light of the headlights made the nasty parts easier to see than they would be in daylight.

Echoing other commenters, I strongly recommend gloves for the boulder field. I only laid hands on the rock a few times, but it's shockingly abrasive. On the top, sandy section, I'm very glad I had high boots and long pants to keep the pumice out of my shoes for the same reason. Gaiters would work too.

The one previous time I did this hike I had just enough stamina to get to the rim, but not to the true summit. This year I did get there, taking about 4 hours. Anywhere on the rim is spectacular, but in my opinion the summit gives the best overview. However, although the summit is not very far, it is strenuous and involves some steep up and down and traversing loose scree. You'll need to be confident in your legs, and I wouldn't have done it without poles. At one point I stepped on a rock that slid down the slope and started a small avalanche. Fortunately nobody was below!

I spent a solid two hours on the summit, and during that time heard scores of rockfalls around the crater. Many I couldn't see, but a few unleashed major dust clouds that drifted all the way across the crater. A few were also right under the trail to the summit, although too small to threaten to the trail.

I lucked out on the weather; the predicted low clouds and rain did not arrive while I was on the trail, though they looked to be moving in later in the day.

A brutal but incredibly rewarding climb! 7am to noon for the climb up. I enjoyed the variety and challenge in terrain this trail has, physically and mentally.

The boulder ridge is seemingly endless, but easy to stay on course due to well placed wooden poles. It feels like you are making no progress as you approach the summit slowly across the pumice and ash.

There was a beautiful cloud inversion slowly wilting away, providing a variety of dramatic and dynamic views throughout the hike. I started the walk to the true summit ridge, but saw a landslide happen on its slope facing the crater and decided today was not the day. I'll be back another time...

I used about 4L of water. Pants and hiking boots were enough for me, but if you use shorts you probably want gaiters.

I’ve wanted to hike this sacred volcano for some time. The stars aligned this summer with time for training. Went with a Mount St. Helens Institute guided group as I didn’t want to go alone.  They secure the permits, provide route finding, excellent pacing and encouragement. Check out their website for packing list and training hike suggestions.

Warm, sunny, mostly clear Saturday for the big hike. I camped at the climber’s bivouac trailhead to avoid driving in the dark on unfamiliar roads. Plenty of parking and camp sites on Friday at 3 pm. Paved roads until the last 2.6 miles of bumpy rutted dirt road. 
Pit toilet bathrooms at the trailhead weren’t too bad, bring your own TP just in case they are running low.  When hiking do not count on the old decommissioned toilet 2 miles in, right before the Loowit trail. Bring a blue bag for poo and if you use toilet paper you must hike it out. Please leave no trace.

Our group left just after 6 am and with plenty of breaks, lunch at the GPS site and steady pacing made it to the crater rim around noon. Bring lots of water, at least 4 liters. I drank 1 liter of water with electrolytes and 3 liters of plain water.
It was a warm day but thankfully there was a breeze.  We were graced with views of Hood, Adams and Rainier. It was a bit hazy but great views into the crater.  Big lone mountain goat was easily visible from the trail by a snow field. No snow on the trail. 
I felt great on the hike up. Steady hike through the 2 mile tree section, hooray for shade! Put away the poles and donned the gardening gloves for the boulders sections. Used the poles again for the last bit of ascent up the gravel, ashy trail.

The way down was harder, especially through the boulder fields. I recommend taking your time and using three points of contact whenever you can. Gravel and rock gashes were seen on a couple of descending hikers. Bring a first aid kit and foot care.  Our group had some blisters, a bee sting, and several of us slid in minor falls. Returned to the trailhead around 5 pm.

Great day on the mountain! Shout out to the Mount St. Helens Institute and their fabulous guides, Matt, Mattie and John!  

Decided to challenge myself and head up to the summit solo. It got up to the 80s, the sky was clear, and enough visibility to clearly see Hood, Adams, and Rainier. A perfect day for my first time up.

I arrived at the parking lot just before 7am and it was about 75% full. Highly recommend camping out there the night before if you can. The drive down the dirt road is rutted with potholes, but I braved it in a sports sedan with 5 inches of clearance without issue. Just stay out of the wheel ruts and stick to the edges of the road when you can. Keep an eye out for deep potholes and take them like you’re going over a speed bump with a fish tank in the back seat.

The trailhead is easy to find at the corner of the parking lot and takes you through the forest to the monitor ridge trail - it’s a great warmup for the challenging hike ahead with some beautiful views of Mt. Hood along the way. 

Once you reach the tree line, you get to about 2.5 miles of 2-7ft tall volcanic boulders. It’s a pathfinding puzzle with a mix of walking between some while climbing over others. It’s exhausting if you don’t do this kind of hiking very often, using the whole body - arms, core, and legs. Uphill. Early into this portion of the hike, Mt. Adam’s and Mt. Hood both come into view for the rest of the way up. There are some melting snowfields you can walk over to for water if needed, but it honestly looked a lot easier to just carry everything I needed from the start.

Finally at the top of the boulder field, you are greeted with an uphill mile or so of ash and pumice that’s similar to walking up a sand dune. Trekking poles, long steps, and a consistent pace without stopping helped me here. 

Once you get to the top, it’s breathtaking seeing north for the first time all day: Rainier, Spirit Lake, and the steaming lava dome in the caldera are all visible below. The true summit is about 20 minutes west, but I only went about halfway there. Footsteps were no longer visible where I turned around and it just didn’t feel safe as I could hear the glacier crackling and rocks tumbling into the caldera below. It was crowded back at the top of the trail with about 20 people at one point and maybe 8 as I left.

The way down is much easier, except for the boulder field. There is still a pathfinding puzzle and this time you’re using those tired legs to slowly lower yourself one leg at a time onto rocks below. Reaching the forest was amazing and so much cooler than being exposed under the sun on this hot day.

Overall, it was 12 miles with 5,000ft of elevation for me. I must have taken more switchbacks than the original route shown here, or it has changed.

Gear/Packing List: 

• 2L water, 3L Electrolytes
• 2,000 calories of food
• Trail Runners with gaiters
• gloves for the sharp boulders
• sunglasses, SPF 70 sunblock, and lip balm
• Extra pair of socks to switch into at the summit (ash gets everywhere)
• 18L backpack (with ten essentials, backup phone battery, etc.)
• Trekking Poles
• iPhone with Verizon, Apple Watch, and Strava for navigation