c-g-joy

c-g-joy t1_jeh5j2d wrote

When will you be coming? Will you be staying in Ocean Shores nightly, or will you be able to travel and camp/stay in hotels? Are you able to hike/have any experience, or more looking for driveable locations?

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c-g-joy t1_jc8q9tm wrote

Unfortunately Johnston ridge is the only real option this time of year for views. The road to Marblemount Sno-park is closed right now too. Yeah, the road past Coldwater Lake is closed this time of year but, you can still hike up the road, or the Hummocks trail, to the observatory. Right now it will be snowshoeing, and easier to follow the road. However, it’s roughly 7 miles to the observatory, or 6.5 to the Loowit viewpoint each way. The Hummucks trail is 9.5 round trip, but you’d want to check NWAC for avalanche prediction, and have route finding skills. The lower part of the trail would be fine for tromping around, and there are some sneak peaks before you start to climb higher. If that interests you, there are plenty of places that rent out snowshoes between PDX and Mt St Helen. The most recent trip report I found, here, was from the 7th. Says there was about 2 feet of snow on the ground at Coldwater. It’s supposed to be warm this week, but the snow level isn’t predicted to go higher than 3700’ and the observatory is at roughly 4300’. So, there will definitely be fresh snow up top.

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c-g-joy t1_j74hpdb wrote

It is an awesome hike, though quite strenuous with 3,500 feet of gain in 3.5 miles. It’s the 3rd steepest mountain in WA. There are also climbing routes along the north face. Unfortunately the whole area will be closed until at least the beginning of 2024, due to the Bolt Creek fire. While people do base jump from the summit, it is illegal to do so. There have been accidents and several deaths.

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