WINTER PERMIT PROGRAM NOW IN EFFECT
Climbing permits are required year-round above 4800 feet on Mount St Helens and fees vary depending on the season. Visit the Mount St Helens Institute web site for more information. http://mshinstitute.org .
For climbs between April 1st and October 31st, permits need to be purchased on-line at http://mshinstitute.org/index.php/climbing/index . These typically go on sale starting the first part of February. For climbs between November 1st and March 31st (Winter Program) permits are available, free of charge, at the registry desk on the side patio of the Lone Fir Resort or at the winter registry at Marble Mountain trailhead.
YOU WILL NEED YOUR RECEIPT ! Bring your receipt to the Lone Fir Resort & Cafe where we will issue the actual permit to you. Hours for picking up permits are from 6am to 9pm daily, April 1 thru October 31. You may pick up your permits the day before or the day of your climb date. We are not permitted to issue permits beyond 24 hours in advance of the scheduled climb.
Please Note: Remember to sign the registry book prior to your climb, and then sign back out at the conclusion of your climb. The registry is available 24/7 and is an important step for the Forest Service and the local Sheriff’s department in the event a search and rescue becomes necessary for ANY climber.
If you are unable to use your permits, it is acceptable and legal to sell your permits at face value or less. You can buy or post permits for sale on a number of websites but MSH Institute prefers using the forum page at www.CascadeClimbers.com (Page down and look under "The Rack" for "Permit Exchange Forum")
The Lone Fir Resort & Café is located 28 miles East of I-5 off the Woodland Exit (exit #21) on SR503 (Lewis River Road)
Distance from the Lone Fir Resort & Café to:
- Climbers Bivouac: 14 miles to the trailhead
- Marble Mountain: 12 miles to the trailhead
- Ape Caves: 9 miles
Weather – Here’s a great link to weather up on the mountain.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=46.19017006890139&lon=-122.18985557556152&site=pqr&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text
Avalanche Forecast: http://www.nwac.us/forecast/avalanche/current/zone/8/
We offer "Green Trails Maps" of Mount St Helens as well as for surrounding areas.
