Mount Saint Helens Sunrise

Started at 1:45 am. Made good progress through the woods but got slowed down route finding through the boulder field in the dark. It’s much easier to choose a good path when you can see your options more clearly! We hit the last of the trail – the scree – with not much time to spare and I powered up just in time to reach the rim and see the sun burst forth from behind Adams. Visibility was excellent – we could see as far as the Sisters in Central OR.

Tips: bring garden gloves for the boulder section – your hands with thank you for protecting them from the rough rock. Gaiters are essential for keeping rocks and sand out of your shoes on the descent. Low rise “Dirty Girl” type gaiters are perfect for this.