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May 19, 2025 Have a recent report? Email explore@mshinstitute.org! Hike with us on a guided adventure!
ROADS: FS-83 and Marble Mountain Sno-Park parking areas are snow-free, but roads may be icy in the mornings. Snow depth at 3,440 feet (1,048 m) is 36 inches (3 ft, 1 m). Snow depth at 4,440 ft (1,353 m) is 127 inches (10.5 ft, 3.2 m).
CLIMBING ROUTE: Winter Route, aka "Worm Flows" Route from Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Trail is patchy snow for the 2 miles, followed by exposed in Chocolate Falls area. Ridges are melted out to 5,800 ft with many ridges exposed to 7,000 ft. Glissade chutes run from summit to base, but use caution. Ice ax and traction devices such as Microspikes, crampons and/or snowshoes are still required for snow travel. WATCH FOR THE GLIDE CRACK above 7,000 ft (2,133 m) moving East/West for ~75 feet (23 m). The crack is over 12" wide, very deep and has portions under snow bridges (invisible underfoot). Stay well clear or take the boulders up.
CORNICE WARNING: The rim cornice is substantial and overhangs the rim 20+ feet (6+ m) (see photo) and obscurs view into the crater. STAY BACK at least 40 feet (12 m) from the visible edge. Warning flags may not be present near the rim and there is no indication of the danger underfoot. A fatality occurred on March 30, 2024 when the cornice collapsed under the weight of only one individual. STAY BACK - STAY ALIVE.
AVALANCHE CONDITIONS: NWAC Avalanche foreasting has concluded for the '24/'25 season. Slide activity has been observed on 4/19 by MSHI volunteers (see photos). It is your responsibility to decide when, where and how to travel. Make sure you have the experience and skills to evaluate avalanche danger, and match your terrain choices to the conditions. Give the highest priority to observations of recent avalanches and other signs of instability, such as shooting cracks, rollerballs, significant snowfall/wind loading and rapid or prolonged warming.
BE PREPARED: Know the types and uses of traction devices, ice ax, and self-arrest techniques. Know the forecast at all elevations before your climb, have cold/wet weather layers and redundant navigational aides (map, compass and GPS) for low-visibility conditions. Have GPS basemaps and tracks in your navigation device before you go and look for pole cairns that mark the route above treeline. Information about Washington State sno-park passes can be found here.
More information:
PERMITTING: Washington Sno-Park Permit required as of Dec 1. Refer to the recreation and permitting site for current permit dates, prices and limitations.
Leave No Trace: Climbers are required to utilize blue bags to pack out all human or pet waste, including toilet paper.
Camping: There is dispersed camping and pit toilets available at the trailhead, but no running water, and bathroom services may be limited so please bring your own toilet paper, soap, water, or hand sanitizer. Please plan accordingly.
Photos courtesy of MSHI Volunteers and Guides
See the U.S. Forest Service Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument website for more information.
FIRE: Incident Information System has the most up to date info on all fires (prescribed or wild) around the country, or Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Visit Washington Smoke Information, Washington's Air Monitoring Network and AirNow for the latest in Air Quality and forecasting.
WEATHER: Weather.gov point forecasts- Marble Mountain SnoPark (2,700ft) and mid-slope (6,200ft). Mountain-Forecast.com provides forecasts at three different elevations: summit 8,328ft, mid-slope 6,500ft and just above the trailhead 3,200ft.
AVALANCHE: Visit the Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center for the most up-to-date avalanche forecast information during winter months.
SNOWPACK: Visit these SNOTEL sites for recent snow pack readings on the south side of Mount St. Helens- June Lake (3,400ft) and Swift Creek (4,400ft).
This conditions report is provided in conjunction with the US Forest Service, and is intended for personal and recreational purposes only. Safe backcountry travel requires preparation and planning, and this information may be used for planning purposes but does not provide all the information necessary for backcountry travel. Advanced mountaineering education is strongly encouraged for winter climbing.
The user acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict natural events in every instance, and the accuracy or reliability of the information provided here is not guaranteed in any way. This report describes general conditions and local variations will always occur. This report expires 24 hours after the posted time unless noted otherwise.
Have a more recent report? We would love to hear from you! Email your conditions update to climb@mshinstitute.org, photos welcome.
