Staff Adventure Spotlight: Sierra Summits St. Helens
- Posted on
- By Sierra French-Fuentes & Nate Braks
This quarter’s staff adventure spotlight takes us to the iconic Mount St. Helens, where Sierra recently completed a challenging and unforgettable climb.
The journey followed the Ptarmigan Trail to Monitor Ridge summer route, a round-trip of about 8.5 miles with an elevation gain of over 4,500 feet. The hike began under the quiet cover of the forest for the first two miles, before transitioning into rugged boulder fields and steep volcanic rock scrambles. The final push to the top was across loose volcanic ash and rock, testing endurance every step of the way.
At the summit, the hard work paid off. From the crater’s rim, breathtaking views stretched in every direction: the dramatic crater with faint smoke rising, the shimmering waters of Spirit Lake, and on the horizon, towering giants Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood.
Summiting Mount St. Helens was no easy feat, but the incredible scenery and sense of accomplishment made it an adventure to remember.
