Hey humans! When it snows out and gets cold, we can always put on hats, gloves, warm jackets and snow boots. Right? But did you ever wonder what animals do to stay warm in winter? Find out with our newest #RangerTube video with Parks Interpretive Specialist Alysa Adams: https://youtu.be/4-1pqV3YTlc.

Sunset: 5:59 pm

The road to Climber's Bivouac is CLOSED. Climbers should depart from Marble Mountain Sno-Park (winter route), which requires a Washington Sno-Park Pass after December 1.

Please climb with your quarantine household, and maintain at least 6 feet of space between yourself and other hikers. Please review our Mount St. Helens and COVID-19 page to learn about open trailheads and sites, expected services, and how to recreate responsibly. Please bring a mask to put on when you pass others on the trail.

WINTER ROUTE, WORM FLOWS OUT OF MARBLE MOUNTAIN SNO PARK:

Road 83 to Marble Mountain and parking lot are plowed and snow-free. A Washington State Sno-Park Pass, purchased in advance, is required to park at Marble Mountain between December 1 - March 31, or as posted. Climbers are required to utilize blue bags to pack out all human or pet waste, including toilet paper.

Woods to tree line: 5-6' of snow at the trailhead, up to 10' by Chocolate Falls. Above tree line snow remains deep all the way up the mountain, concealing much of the topography. Snowshoes or skis are needed on the lower mountain to avoid post-holing. Above 6000' there is rime ice with wind-scoured snow, and crampons are recommended.

A large cornice has formed along the summit rim - PLEASE STAY BACK 15-20 feet to avoid cornice collapse. There is no safe view into the crater. The true summit is 1/4 mi west of where the route tops out. Do not just follow the "fall-line" on your descent ("fall line" is if you were to roll a ball down the hill, it would travel with gravity and that would take you off-route). Route finding may be challenging in dense cloud or fog; be sure to know the route and carry navigation equipment. Because of icy conditions, glissading is not possible at this time.

Avalanche danger remains considerable. NWAC states on 3/3 "We continue to be concerned about the potential for very large natural avalanches in this zone. Recent avalanches, warm temperatures, and a known weak snowpack structure are all red flags that should have you thinking hard about your terrain selection. For the past week, very large avalanches have occurred erratically and are suspected to have run on the Mid-January crust/facet combo. This layer’s depth will vary across the zone but has been measured close to 7 feet deep recently. Any avalanche on this layer will be very large and being caught in one would almost certainly be fatal. Know that if you decide to enter large start zones, avalanche paths, or runout zones, that you are putting yourself at risk. Many of these slides have run very far distances and broken trees as they descend, reaching valley bottoms and areas normally considered as “safe”."

Mountaineering boots with gaiters, crampons, snowshoes or skis, and ice axes are recommended. With more snow accumulation, backcountry travel becomes increasingly risky and avalanche-prone. Be prepared with avalanche knowledge and equipment, and do not assume other visitors have the same training.

Cowlitz County Grant Application

Due April 7th at 4:30 pm