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10 Best Hikes to See Mount St. Helens

Hikers have the best view of Mount St. Helens

Want to catch a glimpse of a Mount St. Helens' steam plume and lava activity? Hiking a nearby trail with a clear view of the volcano might be your best bet.

The rumblings of Mount St. Helens are generating lots of interest from people wanting to see an active volcano letting off steam. Many high-country trails are still accessible and offer breathtaking views of the volcano from a safe vantage point.

Here are 10 trails that offer views of Mount St. Helens, recommended by Washington Trails Association:

1. Badger Peak Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 10 miles round trip; elevation gain 1,600 feet; high point 5,664 feet. The best spot in the Dark Divide Roadless Area for Mount St. Helens views, including dramatic views of the blast zone.
2. High Rock Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 3 miles round trip; elevation gain 1,400 feet; high point 5,658 feet. A steady climb to a lookout with views of Mounts Rainier, Adams, and St. Helens.
3. Strawberry Mountain Lookout Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 3/4 mile round trip, 500 feet elevation gain, high point 5,464 feet. Drive most of the way to view the volcano from this awesome lookout sight.
4. Tongue Mountain Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 3.5 miles round trip; elevation gain 1,300 feet; high point 4,750 feet. Hike among groves of pine trees to a lookout with Adams, Rainier, and St. Helens all magnificent on the horizon.
5. Juniper Ridge Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 8 miles round trip; elevation gain 2,000 feet; high point 5,611 feet. A classic hike with dramatic views of volcanoes and the Cispus River below.
6. Sunrise Peak Trail to Jumbo's Shoulder, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 7 miles round trip; elevation gain 2,000 feet; high point 5,500 feet. This steep trail takes you through fall-foliage meadows to a view of the volcano.
7. Tatoosh Ridge Trail, Tatoosh Wilderness Area 6 miles round trip; 2,600 feet elevation gain, high point 5,400 feet. Spectacular views of Mount St. Helens from this long, high ridge.
8. Silver Star Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 11 miles round trip; 2,000 feet elevation gain, high point 4,390 feet. On a clear day, the panorama includes Mounts St. Helens, Rainier, Adams, and Hood.
9. Hamilton Butte Trail, Gifford Pinchot National Forest 1.5 miles round trip; 900 feet elevation gain, high point 5,772 feet. This area was buried in pumice when Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980. A great short hike to see the volcano today.
10. Skyline Trail, Mount Rainier National Park 5 miles round trip; 1,600 feet elevation gain, high point 7000 feet. You will surely share your St. Helens view from Panorama Point with other volcano fans. Please stay on the trail to prevent damage to fragile meadow plants... it takes decades for damaged meadows to recover.

For information on these trails, check out the hiking guide and trip reports sections of the Washington Trails Association website, or read all about these hikes in 100 Hikes in Washington's South Cascades and Olympics by Ira Spring and Harvey Manning, published by Mountaineers Books.

Washington Trails Association advocates protection of hiking trails, takes volunteers out to maintain them, and promotes hiking as a healthy, fun way to explore Washington. WTA helps maintain several hiking trails within Mount St. Helens National Monument, including Lewis River, Hummocks, Fossil, Sheep Canyon, Ptarmigan and Bluff Mountain Trails. Learn more at www.wta.org.