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Dec 20, 2024 Have a recent report? Email explore@mshinstitute.org!
FS-83 road and Marble Mountain Sno-Park are plowed and passable by most vehicles, but intermittent snow, ice and rockfall may be present on pavement. SNOTEL station stations report snow depth is 39 inches (1 m) at 3,440 feet (1,048 m) and 81 inches (2 m) at 4,440 feet (1,353 m). Avalanche danger is MODERATE (yellow) from 3,500 ft - 8,000 ft (1,066 - 2,438 m).
CLIMBING ROUTE: Winter Route, aka "Worm Flows" Route, from Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Patchy snow in trees progressing to 12+ inches (30 cm) at treeline with 24 - 48 inches (30 - 60 cm) in Chocolate Falls area. Treeline to seismograph at 5,600 feet (1,706 m) requires snowshoes. Deep hardening snow 5,800 - 7,000 feet (1,767 m - 2,133 m) with meltwater channels forming. Firm snow and ice above 7,000 feet to rim. Ice ax and traction devices such as Microspikes, crampons and/or snowshoes are critical for the entire route. The cornice is growing and overhangs the rim 12+ feet (2.4 - 3 m). STAY BACK 30 feet (9 m) from the visible edge.
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.
