Sno-Park: Marble Mountain

Area Status: Closed

Marble Mountain Sno-Park is the starting point for the Worm Flows Climbing Route for Mount St Helens Summit. This is the primary climbing route used during the winter. Marble Mountain Sno-Park offers a trail system that includes 25 miles (snowmobile), and 78.4 kilometers ungroomed (ski).

This area is shared with motorized and non-motorized recreationists. Marble Mountain Sno-Park is not a location for recreational sledding.

Marble Mountain Ski Trail Map (.pdf)

Check Washington State Sno-Parks for current grooming conditions.

Climbing Related Information:

⚠️ Important Alert: (07/11/24): The cornice has cracked and fell into the rim on 4th of July weekend, in addition to taking part of the rim with it. This now leaves a very dangerous 15 foot section that allows for a tempting view into the crater. While very tempting, the structure of the rim is extremely unstable and is continually being undermined by constant rockfall. More of the rim will give way with this rockfall activity. Do not step out on this section of the rim to look into the crater. Treat it like an ice cornice and stay at least 30 feet back.

On March 30th, a climber fatality occurred due to a partial cornice failure after someone stepped out onto the cornice edge. 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.

Click here to read the most current climbing conditions from Mount St. Helens Institute.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	07/11/2024: ALERT! The cornice has cracked and fell into the rim on 4th of July weekend, in addition to taking part of the rim with it. This now leaves a very dangerous 15 foot section that allows for a tempting view into the crater. While very tempting, the structure of the rim is extremely unstable and is continually being undermined by constant rockfall. More of the rim will give way with this rockfall activity. Do not step out on this section of the rim to look into the crater. Treat it like an ice cornice and stay at least 30 feet back. Marble Mountain SnoPark is officially closed for the season until December. The gate to Marble Mountain SnoPark is in the process of being closed. All climbers can either travel to Climbers Bivouac on Forest Road 830 to summit Mount St. Helens using the summer route Ptarmagin Trail, or park in the un-gated snowpark overflow lot and climb the winter route. The main lot and facilities are closed, but the trails will remain open. If you need more information, contact the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument at 360-449-7800.
Fees:	Washington State Sno-Park Permit required Dec. 1 to March 31.
Permit Info:	Mount St. Helens Climbing Permit required for each person, for each day, year-round, traveling above 4800 feet on the slopes of Mount St. Helens: April 1 through Oct. 31: Permits purchased in advance at Recreation.gov on a rolling basis. Nov. 1 to March 31: Permits available at Marble Mountain Trailhead and are free. Washington State Sno-Park Permit required Dec 1 to March 31. Purchase online or at local vendors. One per vehicle. Not available on-site.
Open Season:	December - April
Usage:	Heavy
Best Season:	Winter
Busiest Season:	Winter
Restrictions:	Snowmobiles are prohibited in the the Non-motorized corridor between Monitor Ridge and the Worm Flows climbing routes. The restricted research area north of the volcano is closed to snowmobiles and to off-trail ski and snowshoe travel.
Closest Towns:	Cougar, WA
Water:	No
Restroom:	Vault Toilets
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centers

General Information

Directions:

From Cougar, WA drive east on Lewis River Road, which turns into Forest Road 90. Continue on Forest Road 90 until the intersection with Forest Road 83. Turn left on Forest Road 83 and continue approximately 6 miles to the Marble Mountain Sno-Park. During the winter and early spring Forest Road 83 is gated at the Sno-Park.

General Notes:

Marble Mountain Non-motorized Winter Trails Map (.pdf)