8.2 mi
Distance
4,875 ft
Elev. Gain
5h 2m
Est. Time
Out & Back
Route Type
Expert
Difficulty
About This Trail
We don't publish a description for Mount Saint Helens Summit via Ptarmigan Trail unless we can point you at the agency it came from. We don't have one yet. The planning figures above — distance, elevation gain, estimated time, route type — come from the source listed on this trail.
The managing agency is the authority for conditions, closures and route notes. See official sources below. Spot something we should add?
Trail Conditions
Trail Conditions
We have no current condition data for this trail. Check with the operator before you go, and submit a report below if you've been recently.
No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.
Elevation Profile
| Point | Distance from start | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 0.0 mi | 1,144 ft |
| High point | 4.1 mi | 2,523 ft |
| End | 8.2 mi | 1,144 ft |
Trail Details
- Route Type
- Out & Back
Permit required
Apply through the issuing agency. Many systems run seasonal lotteries or fixed application windows — confirm current dates on the agency page.
Climbing permits are required year-round for anyone going above 4,800 ft on Mount St. Helens. From April through October permits come from recreation.gov; from November through March they are free and self-issued at the trailhead. Each climber carries photo ID matching the permit, and groups are limited to 12 people per permit. Check the permit page for current quotas, fees and release dates.
Official sources & verification
Reserve or permit
- Apply for permit
Required permit application for this trail. Many systems run seasonal lotteries or fixed application windows — confirm current dates here.
Source of truth
- Agency source page
The page our published rules and notes are derived from.
- Climbers Bivouac trailhead
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Where it is
- Nearest town:
- Cougar, WA · about 8 mi away
- County:
- Skamania County, WA
Nearest town and county from U.S. Census Bureau place records and county boundaries.
Highlights
Reviews
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Legacy import — verify before navigating
Path geometry came from our pre-launch legacy database. Routes have not yet been re-verified against the operator and may differ from the actual trail.
Stay nearby
Campgrounds near this trail
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