Proposed Mount Saint Helens trail would take visitors to heart of blast zone

For the first time since the 1980 eruption of Mount Saint Helens, plans are in the works for a new trail to take visitors to a dramatic new viewpoint right in the heart of the blast zone.

Managers of Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument want to build a new trail near the Windy Ridge Viewpoint that links to an existing trail on the northeast side of the mountain.

The new, two-and-a-half mile trail would take hikers across the massive debris field to a viewpoint called Sugar Bowl at about 6,800 feet elevation.

“From the Sugar Bowl area in the north climb, you should be able to see right into the center of the crater,” says Lisa Romano, with the National Volcanic Monument.

Romano says the new route would be much easier than the existing trail that takes hikers right to the south rim.

“It will be a less strenuous hike up there, so it might be more accessible for some people who don’t have the ability, or don’t have the desire, to do the more difficult south climb,” says Romano.

But the new trail would still require a permit. Another new trail is planned for the south side of the volcano near the popular Ape Cave lava tube to a mountain viewpoint.

The Forest Service is also studying the idea of building one or two campgrounds along Highway 504, the north route to the volcano. The idea is to give visitors a chance to take in more of the Mount Saint Helens experience.

“We really want people to have the ability to participate in more than just a couple hours of the program and in order to do so we need people to have a place to put their head at night,” says Romano.

Planning and environmental review and public comment will take time but it’s possible that trail construction could begin as soon as next summer.