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Into the Crater Hike
Join MSHI on a bucket list hike into the crater of Mount St. Helens!
Was just amazing! What a privilege to be able to do it. I learned so much and have so many new questions. The guides, host and staff were amazing and I really took a lot away from this experience.
~Brooks, 2023
Join us for a unique and profound adventure into the crater of an active volcano! This is a true North American bucket-list experience. Our expert teams of geologists, professional mountain guides and certified volunteer mountain stewards will lead you past hummocks and cinder cones, canyons, pumice fields and lava beds, waterfalls and wildflowers, to the edge of the youngest and fastest-growing glacier in the world. Under the curious gaze of mountain goats you will move carefully through a landscape that has been exposed for only 45 years.
This multi-day adventure begins Friday afternoon and concludes Sunday morning with a day hike on Saturday. We welcome you to our remote Mount St. Helens Field Camp where our Guide Staff and Camp Host will assist you with setting up your campsite, vehicle spot or choosing a cot in our large wall tents. The Host will prepare a delicious dinner catered to your dietary needs and you will be treated to a fireside chat by the geologist. Saturday, you'll rise early and after a hot breakfast, you'll caravan to the trailhead and commence an amazing day of immersive education and exploration of the landscape. Following Saturday’s hike, you're welcomed to stay at camp for dinner and socializing before departing Sunday morning after a full night's rest.
Distance: Approximately 8 miles (12.8 km) roundtrip
Elevation Gain: ~1,800 feet (610 m)
Hike Duration (Saturday): Approximately 8 hours
Meeting Location (Friday): Cascade Peaks Interpretive Center
Minimum Age: 10. For younger hikers, contact explore@mshinstitute.org or (360) 207-1675 to discuss.
Maximum Group Size: 12
Cost: $899 / person
What's Included:
- Specially permitted multiday field camp experience with one hike day.
- Safe, educational and fun guided hike into the crater of Mount St. Helens (Saturday).
- Natural and historical interpretation of the landscape by professional guides, geologists and certified volunteers.
- Two dinners, two breakfasts, grab-and-go lunch, beverages prepared by our Camp Host.
- Two large group wall tents or space to pitch a personal tent, car-camp or camper vehicle (no hookups or services)
- Toilets and water provided
Each adventure runs from 5PM on Friday to 10AM Sunday. Saturday is hike day.
If your adventure date is sold out, join our waitlist! In 2024, 48% of people our waitlist were offered a spot!!
Select a date below to register
Additional Information
- Program Policies
- Suggested Packing List
- Join our Email List for MSHI News & Updates
- Date Sold Out? Join the Waitlist
Mount St. Helens Institute operates under a special use permit from the US Forest Service and is honored to work on the Traditional Cultural Property, ancestral and present-day lands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Mount St. Helens Institute is an equal opportunity provider.