Mt St Helens help please

[njc89]

I would like to try out St Helens and was wondering if there was any trail access off of Hwy 131 S. Of Randle. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone were willing to point me in the right direction, as I'll be coming a long way over from Walla Walla. Thanks

 

[jacmmaxwell]

Yes there is some trails up there. You have two snowparks that you can choose from, ore creek, or wakefish. If your looking to ride St hellens then go wakefish. It runs you up the road and you can follow the road clear up to the windy ridge lookout above spirit lake. There is not a ton of grooming, but the fun is off trail once you drop over the saddle into the blast zone.

Please note that you can't ride on Mt St Hellens it's a national monument and is against the law. People do it every year and it gives our sport tons of bad press. The view is great and so is the riding from the legal riding area so don't be tempted.

It's one of my favorite area, and there is no better spring riding on a sunny day.

 

[bigM]

St. Hellens

You can get to the blowdown area of St. Hellens from the wakpish side but I believe there is still a bridge out and we are not able to get to the snow park. Has been that way for a couple of years. there is another way around I think by way of ryan lake but im not positive. If you want to ride the mountain probablyneed to come in through cougar. that would be best if you want to ride on the mountain. The south side of the mountain is open to ride as far as I know. There can be elevation limits that you are suppose to stay under but not always. should be able to check with the forest service for info on that. If you hit it on a clear day its as good as it gets. good luck

 

[jacmmaxwell]

No the bridge is fixed and you can drive right to wakefish. I've already riden out of there once this season and yes ryan lake will get you there as well but it's alittle more time riding the road vs the snow park. Two weeks ago the road and snow park were pretty well plowed and the roads had been groomed but had about 12" of heavy new on them.

 

[rmkboxer]

if you are doing a family ride go to the snowpark out of couger which is on the mountain. it is all around good area. I would also wait a bit til you know there is alot of snow for that long of a drive

 

[njc89]

Thanks for the pointers guys. I really appreciate it. I did not know about the closure so I will get informed on that for sure. I am looking for a family ride with the opportunity for some moderate challenges.

 

[turbo99]

No the bridge is fixed and you can drive right to wakefish. I've already riden out of there once this season and yes ryan lake will get you there as well but it's alittle more time riding the road vs the snow park. Two weeks ago the road and snow park were pretty well plowed and the roads had been groomed but had about 12" of heavy new on them.

good luck on the bridge with this heavy rain they are going to t\lock the gate. its called the benum creek bridge. and its wakepish

 

[wasatchcomm]

id hold off for a bit, we are getting good snow now, but helens is very rocky, it needs another 4-5' before it gets good....
if the weather keeps up maybe another 2 weeks and the mountain will be fine... their is not a lot of trai riding on the south side of the mountain, also i heard rumors of no grooming this year, they want to concentrate on lonebutte/orr creek/flattop area, which is a great trail riding area...

 

[turbo99]

the groomer cant get passsd the single lane bridge tthat is why they are going to close the snowpark this year again. benum creek is still sliding so they say. there will be a great ride at orr creek on the weekend jan. 15 it for the make a wish ffoundation. there is an aution after dinner in the cabin at the parking lot good times.

 

[rmkboxer]

go to the snowpark out of couger. marble mountain. it is good for everyone. wakefish is not family friendly

 

[alexkravets]

http://www.snowest.com/gallery/video/1766.wmv

http://www.snowest.com/gallery/video/1766.wmv

Just be careful