Mount St. Helens - Worm Flows Route — Monday, Feb. 12, 2018

Took advantage of a bluebird day and climbed St. Helens in near perfect conditions.  The parking lot at the TH is completely plowed so no difficulties getting there.  Left the TH at 7:45.  The trail to Chocolate Falls is a nice boot path packed snow, once past the falls you meander through the last of the trees onto the boulders or just throw on your traction device and walk in the snow heading to the summit.  With these clear crisp days and nights the snow was hard and crunchy the entire way to the crater rim.  I carried by snowshoes all the way to the top and all the way back to the car not needing them.  Saw several other climbers and a couple people going up to ski down.  Many used crampons, I was able to complete my summit with just microspikes.  Reached the crater rim at 12:45 and was treated with spectacular views of Mt. Rainier and the North Cascades.  The trip down was unfortunately not good for glissading as the snow was too icy, so the slow walk down to the parking lot.  Got back to the car at 5pm.  Overall it was a wonderful day that the views were amazing.  If you have the skill and knowledge to do a winter summit, skip the permit system fiasco and go when  you can avoid the mess.