Monitor Ridge Hike

This is a fun hike — scramble. And, it is so interesting to see the aftermath of the recent volcanic activity.
The first couple miles are a walk in the woods — the last half mile getting a little steep. The next couple miles are climbing over boulders, the last mile is walking in scree. Depending on the weather the scree is frozen and firm, wet and pretty firm, or dry and loose (sink a few inches with each step).
Wear gloves, as the middle couple miles is bouldering. Poles are a pain — I wouldn’t bring them. Most people do this hike with cross trainer style running shoes.
Get permits the first of February online (for climbing May 15 — October 31) — google Mt St Helens, and you get to the right site. The quota of 100 persons per day is a godsend — it makes for a really nice, low key hike.
The cost of the permits includes parking at the trailhead, and camping at the trailhead.
One complication of the permit system is that you have to exchange your receipt from the internet sale for a permit and parking pass at the Lone Fir Resort. They are open from 6 a.m. to 9 pm. Then, remember to sign out at the Lone Fir after the hike. The registry is outside, so the 9pm time is not a constraint. Hopefully you’ll complete the climb in time to get pizza and a tap beer at the Lone Fir.

This is a bucket-​list hike for sure. In my opinion, the best hike in Washington State bar none. It’s almost not even a hike. It’s regarded as a scramble; between a hike and a climb. The hike is grueling. It’s 5 miles one way with a 4500 foot elevation gain to about 8400 feet at the summit where you are looking down into the mountain’s steaming crater.
The payoff is as good as it gets. In addition to being on an active volcano, you have spectacular views of Spirit Lake, Mt. Rainier to the north, Mt. Adams to the east, and Mountains Hood and Bachelor to the south. I would imagine on a crystal-​clear day, one would be able to see Baker as well; I don’t know.
Before you go, you have to get a permit. They only allow 100 people a day. The only way to get a permit that I know of is to contact the Lone Fir Resort in Cougar at 360−238−5210. Do it well in advance; like in Spring if you want to hike in August. It is a very popular hike at $ 20 a pop. If you are trying for short-​notice, sometimes they have cancellations.
The directions are simple. Take exit 21 from I-​5 and get on 503 East for about 30 miles. Don’t take any turnoffs. There’s a spur about fifteen miles in that confuses a lot of people. Don’t take it.
The hike itself starts like any other. It’s about 2 miles of easy forest hiking. The timberline abruptly ends and you get a good view of what you are in for. Large boulders and snow fields alternate for required crossing and scaling. We were there in early August of 2011, so the snow was still there from the long cool winter. From what I understand, that is not the norm at that time of year.
The whole time we were hiking through the forest, we were trying to figure out how a 10-​mile round trip hike could take an estimated seven to twelve hours. That question was quickly answered as we scrambled over boulders and trudged through snow fields at rate that doesn’t register on any speedometer.
The rest of the hike is what you would expect. It is very obvious that you are scaling the side of a mountain. The slopes are steep, but not so steep as to freak out all but the most severe of acrophobics.
There is no special gear required. But here are my recommendations:
Absolute essentials:
Comfortable shoes: preferably good hiking shoes
Water: MINIMUM of 24 oz.
Layers: light jacket
Food: High energy i.e. bars or gels
Sunscreen: Needed more up here than at the beach
Highly recommended:
Gaiters: I like the small «spats» kind
Hiking poles: helps take pressure off the knees on descent
Sun glasses: It gets bright up there
Hydrating backpack: Just makes it easier for sho
Other stuff:
Tunes: Gives you that boost you may need
Camera: Document the event
Physical conditioning: I saw a lot of red faces heading up
Mota;-) For the peak
Like I said. It’s a bucket-​list hike that you will never forget.