Spring like conditions on Mt. St. Helens today. Road to parking lot snow free. Couple rough spots to be careful about but otherwise passable for low clearance vehicles. Bathrooms missing TP so bring your own.
Started at 5 AM. Parking lot crowded but able to get a spot in the main parking lot. Snow spotty for 1st 1/2 mile but then became continuous afterwards. Overall snow level is low with many bare spot visible. We brought snow shoes but did not need them on way up since snow was firm in the morning and there was a nice boot pack to summit. Views were spectacular today with Mt. Baker, Mt Jefferson, the Olympics, and North Cascades visible. There are orange wand marking where cornice starts. We were able to glissade down to the weather station. Afterwards the hike down was strenuous due to post-holing from soft snow. Snow shoes were helpful on the way down.
Comments
Nice. What was your total time? No need for microspikes or crampons? Assuming you had an ice ax for glissading down. It's been awhile since I'd done this (Mothers Day some years ago) but looking for another opportunity.
Posted by:
proxie on Jan 17, 2026 09:10 PM
It was icy in the morning so crampons or microspikes recommended. We put those on at the weather station. Yes, I would bring ice axe for glissading down.
Posted by:
kjpark on Jan 18, 2026 09:26 AM
Was there any snow or ice in the parking area? Picture on MSHI website from 1/10 shows some. Just asking because my vehicle will get stuck/literally spin tires on as little as an inch of snow or ice. Thanks for the report and congrats on the wonderful trip!
Posted by:
Dream Delay on Jan 18, 2026 01:19 PM
Parking lot mostly clear. There was a patch of ice by the bathroom but should be avoidable.
Posted by:
kjpark on Jan 18, 2026 03:19 PM