TThe Worm Flows Climbing Route is the primary route used by climbers during the winter and early spring to reach Mount St Helens Summit. Worm Flows is the most direct route to the summit of Mount St. Helens during the winter season. Ice axe, crampons, and avalanche awareness are recommended on this route. Skis with climbing skins or snowshoes with cleats are also highly recommended.

From the Marble Mountain Sno-Park use the Swift Ski Trail, #244 to reach timberline. Cross to the west side of Swift Creek, just above Chocolate Falls (elev. 3,700'). Follow ridges and open slopes to the crater rim. Wooden route marking posts guide climbers from timberline to approximately 4,800' elevation. The round trip is approximately 12 miles, with total time round trip being approximately 7 to 10 hours. To reduce your exposure to avalanche potential, stay away from snow loaded slopes and gully bottoms. Stay off the cornices at the crater rim.

Climbers should be prepared for winter climbing conditions. Sign in at the register and sign out on your return.

A dangerous cornice, an overhanging mass of snow formed by wind, grows through the winter on the leeward side of the wind exposed edge of the summit and crater. As it grows, the cornice can hang quite a distance over the edge, making it fragile and extremely dangerous to walk upon to get a view into the crater. Stay back at least 30 ft (9 m) from the visible edge. There may not be any flagging stakes or markers indicating the danger zone, so use extreme caution. The high summit drift may prevent you from having any view over the rim to the North. Always check current conditions before your climb.

Recreation Passes honored: Digital Day Pass, Northwest Forest Pass, and Interagency Recreation Passes. Get a Recreation Pass. 

• Day use only. Open sunrise to sunset.
• Overnight camping  not permitted.
• Campfires not permitted.
• Portable propane barbeque or fire pit permitted.
• Pets must be on 6 ft leash max or shorter at all times.
• Gasoline motors on boats are prohibited. Must be removed from the boat to launch.
• Selective Gear Rules apply. See Washington State Fish and Wildlife Sports Fishing Rules Booklet.
• Gear is limited to artificial flies with barbless single hooks or lures with barbless single hooks and bait is prohibited. Up to 3 hooks may be used. Only knotless nets may be used to land fish.
• Inlet and outlet streams closed to fishing
• Trout min size 18 inches. Daily limit 1.

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 46.290513

Longitude: -122.266096

Directions

From Castle Rock, drive State Route 504 east 43 miles. Stay right where State Route 504 forks towards the Johnston Ridge Observatory. Continue for 1 mile, turn left at Coldwater Lake.

Parking

2 large parking lots with multi-use vehicle parking available. No hookups. Please do not block road access for emergency vehicles. No overnight parking/camping.

The Three Rivers Golf Course, an 18-hole course established in 1983 next to the Cowlitz River, is owned by the Kelso-Longview Elks BPOE 1482. The course is built on a base of material deposited in the Cowlitz River by the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens and removed by dredging. This porous combination of ash, dust, sand and silt drains well in wet weather, and golfers commute here from up and down the I-5 corridor when other Northwest courses are too soggy to play. The poa annua (annual bluegrass) greens putt well all year, and the winter rye fairways hold up well.

Four sets of tee boxes accommodate golfers with more or less length to their game. This Robert Muir Graves design plays almost 6,700 yards from the longest (blue) tees, with a men’s Course Rating of 71.7 and Slope of 128. Course length from the shortest (red) tee boxes is 5,393 yards, with a ladies’ Course Rating of 70.4 and Slope of 119.

Welcome to the clean, comfortable and affordable Timberland Inn and Suites, a great place to stay near Mt. St. Helens. Depend on us for the low rates and important amenities you need for an unforgettably positive experience. Because we're an independent hotel, we can meet your needs and exceed your expectations without having to follow corporate rules – or charge high franchise hotel prices.

When you stay with us you can park near your room, meaning you don't have to drag your luggage through the lobby. Here in Castle Rock, there's plenty of fresh air to take in, and you'll want to stay with us where you have every opportunity to be spoiled in your room and make the most of your time out in the region.

Since we're just 1/8th mile from the I-5 freeway, we're convenient to it without you having to worry about highway noise during the night. Plus, our hotel features double sound installation to further ensure that noise is never a problem, making us a quiet choice for business and pleasure travelers alike.

We offer non-smoking rooms, have guest laundry facilities and provide coffee in the lobby. We also have restaurants and a gift shop on-site. If you like, choose a hot tub suite or family suite for an upgraded experience. And we're happy to keep the front desk open 24 hours a day. That means there's always someone to assist you with checking in, checking out or answering your calls at any hour.

Mt. St. Helens is a stunningly beautiful place to visit, and we look forward to being your home away from home in this scenic and intriguing area. Why not book now with us to avoid disappointment? We're a busy hotel and are often fully booked, but we want to be of service to you. Booking early helps ensure we can meet your needs.

Family Travel
This area is a popular vacation destination, and we know that many people have family in this densely populated area. Make us your first choice when you're looking for hotels near the Mount St. Helens area. We pride ourselves on having the best of the Castle Rock WA hotels and motels. And we're more than just the best of the Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument Hotels. We're also a sensible choice of Castle Rock hotels near Silver Lake and hotels near Johnston Ridge Observatory too. You can be sure that we'll always do our very best to accommodate you conveniently and in comfort. Why not book now?

Affordable Hotel Stay
Looking for Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center Castle Rock hotels that offer you an attractive deal on an affordable hotel stay? If you're looking for Castle Rock hotels near Mt St. Helens, we're here for you at Timberland Inn. While other hotels may focus on other things, nothing means more to us than providing accommodations where guests can feel at ease for an attractive rate. Why not book with us now and see for yourself the Quality Inn and Suites difference? You’ll be glad you did on this and all future trips. The decision to stay with us is a smart one that so many people choose to make every day. We hope to soon meet you and your traveling companions.

Comfortable Stay
Looking for the comfort you deserve as well as a safe and peaceful stay in this busy area? We're here for you at Timberland. As the most accommodating of the Castle Rock WA motels or hotels, we're here for you with the safety, security and comfort you need – as well as a quiet, restful experience in complete comfort. Hotels and motels in this area aren't all the same, and you deserve whatever you want from the hotel you choose. Make the smart choice to stay with us and you'll find yourself coming back again and again for the safety, peace and comfort. Make us your secret getaway at this popular destination.

Mount Saint Helens is one of the nation's top natural attractions, and we're a natural choice when you want to stay nearby.

Castle Rock, WA has something interesting for every member of the family. Why not stay with us while you explore?

Johnston Ridge Observatory is easy to reach when you stay with us at Timberland Inn. Why not make us your first choice in the area?

Silver Lake is as beautiful as the name suggests, so why not visit? We're here for you at our Castle Rock, WA hotel.

Toutle Motorsports Park has both MX tracks and a drag strip.

MX - Toutle Motorsports Park has six outdoor motocross tracks that run year-round. On the west end there is a modern main track, a vintage track, an arena style track, a sand track, and a 50's track. On the east end across from the drag strip is a big track that is vintage, beginner, and junior friendly.

All levels of riders from kids on 50cc bikes to experienced riders will find our tracks both fun and challenging! We run an open practice without classes so you can get as much ride time as you want.

Since we are a year-round track, we are open every weekend except for extreme weather conditions or if there is an event which uses the whole property. We will post any changes on our Facebook page or website news. We also send out emails.

Practice starts at 9 am and ends at 4 pm.  The cost is $40 per rider/River Track, and $20 per rider/Peewee Track. Camping fee is $10 and Gate fee for races is usually $10 per person.

Trail of Two Forests

Location: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington
Distance: 1.5 miles (Loop)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 100 feet
Family-Friendly: Yes
Open Season: Year-round (best from late spring to fall)
Trail Type: Loop

Overview:

This ¼ mile long boardwalk trail leads you over a 2,000-year-old lava flow from Mount St. Helens. Lava ran through the forest and around trees, which burst into flames. The lava solidified around the trunks and trunks rotted away, leaving tree wells, voids in which the impressions of the bark remain. Interpretive signs along the route tell the story of this ancient event. Climb down a ladder and go through a dark tree well. Enjoy today’s forest of fir, hemlock, and brilliant, green moss growing on the old lava. The boardwalk is accessible and kid friendly. Picnic tables and a pit-toilet are available. To protect fragile geologic features and plant life, please stay on the boardwalk.

Trail Highlights:

• Lava Tubes & Old Growth: The trail offers a glimpse into the past with its preserved lava tubes, remnants of the 1980 eruption, and thriving old-growth forests.
• Scenic Views: Enjoy views of the surrounding forest and volcanic landscape, with interpretive signs along the way providing insight into the area’s geology and ecology.
• Wildlife: Spot various wildlife, including birds, small mammals, and potentially elk or deer in the surrounding forests.

Details:

• Difficulty: Easy – The trail is gentle, well-maintained, and accessible for most hikers, including families and those with limited hiking experience.
• Elevation: Minimal elevation gain of only about 100 feet makes this a great option for a short, leisurely hike.
• Family-Friendly: Yes – This trail is ideal for families with children and those looking for a shorter, educational hike. The path is relatively flat and well-suited for beginners.
• Open Season: Open year-round, but the best hiking conditions are from late spring to fall, when the trail is dry and accessible. Winter weather can bring snow, so check conditions in advance.

Trail Type: Loop – Starting and ending at the same point, making it easy for those who prefer a short and self-contained hike.

The Trail of Two Forests is a fantastic introduction to the region’s volcanic landscape, offering a mix of natural beauty and educational value. Whether you're looking to explore the geology of Mount St. Helens or simply enjoy a short hike in the forest, this trail offers something for everyone.

⚠️ Important Alert: Certain trails and areas on Forest Road 99 are closed Monday through Friday until October 31. Click here for more information about the trail closures and the Spirit Lake Tunnel Outlet Construction, and what trails are not accessible during the construction. The 5.7-mile Truman Trail #207 immerses you in the area devastated by the 1980 eruption. Looking north, you see log-filled Spirit Lake topped by Mount Margaret. To the south you look upward at Mount St. Helens’ crater and lava dome.The trail begins at Windy Ridge Interpretive Site and starts by following a road built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to access the Spirit Lake pumping station after the 1980 eruption. (Shortly after the 1980 eruption the water level in Spirit Lake rose alarmingly, threatening to overtop the debris dam and to send a deluge down the Toutle Valley. To help alleviate this danger, barge-mounted pumps were installed to remove water from the lake. Pumping continued until a 1.7-mile-long tunnel could be completed, allowing Spirit Lake to drain into South Coldwater Creek.Flanked by ever-growing patches of lupine, Indian paintbrush, and other wildflowers, the trail crosses several streams that originate in the crater.  Wooden marking posts aid you in staying on trail as you travel across the pumice plain and climb the debris avalanche to the junction with Boundary Trail #1 (area is unavailable).

Willow Springs Trail #207A, from its junction with Truman Trail #207, offers a loop opportunity. This 0.8-mile trail provides a link to the Loowit Trail #216. You can make a loop of these trails by connecting with the Loowit Trail #216 and the Windy Trail #216E. Special Conditions: Off trail travel prohibited. No pets or stock. Day-use only. Bicycles are prohibited west of the junction with Abraham Trail #216D.