Mount St. Helens · Monitor Ridge
Monitor Ridge from Climbers Bivouac
The Route
The south-side route climbs from Climbers Bivouac through forest, lava blocks and loose pumice to the crater rim.
- Climbers BivouacPtarmigan Trail #216A begins in forest.
- Loowit Trail JunctionThe forest approach reaches timberline around 4,800 ft.
- Monitor RidgeWooden posts mark the lava-block ridge to about 7,000 ft.
- Upper Pumice SlopeThe final climb crosses loose pumice and ash without route posts.
- Crater RimReturn follows the same south-side route.
Ptarmigan Trail & Loowit Junction
From Climbers Bivouac, Ptarmigan Trail #216A climbs through forest and small meadows to the Loowit Trail junction. The Forest Service places timberline around 4,800 ft, after 1,100 ft of gain on the lower approach.
Lava-Block Ridge
Above the trees, the route crosses blocky volcanic terrain. Monitor Peak stands east of the climbing line; a GPS station is a landmark around 7,000 ft. MSHI reports that the former toilet near the lower junction is permanently closed.
Upper Pumice & Crater Rim
The upper slope changes to loose pumice and ash. Wooden route posts end below this section: the Forest Service describes the last 1,300 vertical feet as unmarked. The crater interior is closed to entry; the rim can carry overhanging snow.
Endpoint & Return
MSHI distinguishes the first arrival at the crescent-shaped rim from the highest point farther west along it. The return retraces Monitor Ridge and Ptarmigan Trail to Climbers Bivouac rather than descending toward Marble Mountain.
Published reference figures for the named itinerary. Source dates and access notices are separate from current terrain observations. Reference Set: 2026-10-23.
Weather
Current forecasts open at the providers below. NWS forecasts describe a terrain grid cell, not an exact summit.
Access
Climbers Bivouac, Washington · Mount St. Helens
Road Snapshot
MSHI's October 22 report listed FR830 and the south-side trailheads open; it noted potholes and a ledge at the parking entrance.
Climbing Permit
A climbing permit is required year-round above 4,800 ft; Recreation.gov lists the quota season as April 1–October 31.
Parking
The Forest Service accepts a displayed climbing permit for the date of the climb in place of the day-use fee.
Facilities
Vault toilets and first-come primitive campsites are at the trailhead; no potable water is provided.
Lower-Trail Toilet
MSHI lists the former toilet near the Ptarmigan/Loowit junction as permanently closed. This does not mean the climbing route itself is closed.
Permit Release & Group Size
Quota-season permits are released at 7 AM Pacific on the first day of the preceding month. Groups are limited to 12.
Permit Identification & Overnight Dates
Each listed climber must carry identification and a permit copy. Overnight travel within the climbing closure area requires permits for consecutive days.
Source information checked 2026-10-23. Road snapshots are dated separately.
Reports
MSHI Current Conditions
Open the publisher’s route-specific material and check its date and scope.
Forest Service Route Information
Open the publisher’s route-specific material and check its date and scope.
Links open the publishers’ report pages. Reports are not automatically imported or filtered to a forecast date.