I couldn’t have picked a better day to go up Loowit! It was sunny (bring sunscreen!!!), mostly warm/hot throughout the day and we even got to see a rainbow cloud! I had seen one before but not this big and color changing. It was awesome!

We slept at the trailhead to get an early start. Besides the cars driving in later at night, everyone was respectful and quiet. I will divide this report in sections:

Crampons - We were able to do it only using microspikes, but today the weather was great. We started at 4:20am, got to the “summit” at 10:20am, since there were a few people before us and the sun was shining, the snow wasn’t too hard and there were nice bootsteps to follow. But there are definitely some sections very steep that having crampons, especially on a colder day would be the way to go.

Glissading - SO MUCH FUN! We were able to do it for half of the way I think, pretty much from the top until the point that has the sign “Permits are required beyond this point” I think it’s 4500ft or something like that? Anyways! It was great, the snow was already soft enough, probably getting too soft. There is a portion near to the sign that seemed like if an avalanche was triggered, it wouldn’t be great for the folks glissading, so be aware of that (I’ll add a photo). There are some steep sections, I used my ice axe to control my speed, but seemed doable too with just the hiking poles (just know your skills regarding being able to control how fast you’re going).

Snow level - I’d say the 1st mile is almost snow free, and the one after that doesn’t really look great. I saw some folks just getting off their ski and carrying it when they were heading back. 

Road - Snow free! We tried checking out what the road to the summer route looked like, and there was some snow just a bit passing the turn. My guess is that it won’t open until at (very)  least the end of this month. Parking was easy too. There are 2 big lots and overflow.

No TP in the bathrooms the time we were there. Couldn’t really see the crater because of the cornice, we stayed quite far back. Overall, a really great day to be out there!

Stayed in the parking lot and started at 3:30AM. Snow on trail but crampons were not needed until Monitor Ridge/Swift Glacier. Another individual was only wearing micro spikes and struggled but he made it up eventually. Lots of fresh snow, no bootpack to follow at the time. Forecast called for light snow and 30MPH wind but above 4800ft it was a gorgeous day most of the time. Fog and clouds rolled in quick around Noon. Glissaded down some sections but it was tough because there were no chutes yet. Passed a conga line of over 70 skiiers/snowboarders and some hikers on the way down. The skiiers were very excited for the fresh snow. Everyone on the trail was super friendly. Great day! 

First time up St Helens, great experience! Started 4:20, finished 2:20. One of the first groups starting from the looks of it. Forecast showed 30 mph wind at the top, cold, and clear, with about 10” of snow from the day before. Brought snow shoes, but was a complete waste of weight, don’t bother. In actuality, the weather was mostly cloudy with some near white out conditions at times. Crampons were extremely useful on the icy parts above the weather station, but all the icy parts began thawing out by the time we were heading down. Most aspects did not require an ice axe, poles would have been enough to stop.

Snow dangers: wind loaded slope just below monitor ridge. Most people were saying it seemed stable enough. There seems to be a Bergschrund forming along the trail below the 4800’ permit sign, so look out for that crack opening.

Strongly recommend having good easy layers to switch out of (temp seemed to vary from 0 - 80  F minutes at a time, very strong thermals) and having sunscreen. Got burned despite it being cloudy most of the day, having my face covered almost the whole time, and smearing thick surfing sunscreen all over my face, nose holes and ear holes included.

As we left, the snow did not look fun to climb in the warming temperatures, so be sure to go early to avoid the crowds and yucky snow!

Started 6:45 and got as far as we could by 1pm. Had to turn back from whiteout conditions and heavy snow. But there were bands of clear sky and the snow was relatively easy to hike in. Lots of wind once you get up to the seismic station. We got about 1000 ft vertical past the station. 

With good weather you should be able to summit! 

Nothing really new to add here trip report-wise. Crampons came in super handy especially heading up early. First time up here and highly recommend. I got a nice picture of the two heading up early with us.