Bummed we had no sunrise or mountain views at the summit, be at least we finally conquered this volcano!
Blizzard conditions kept visibility low even in late-September.
The giant trees near the trailhead will remind you of how the entire area was like from to the 1980 eruption.
The boulder field is equally as difficult to navigate as the dry volcanic ash field.
While a literal Earth-bomb exploded up top, you get a feel for how the entire area used to be surrounded by thick vegetation toward the bottom.
A volunteer for the Mount St. Helens Volcanic Monument was the first sign of life we saw all morning. He provided some history and confirmed we were the first group to ascend and descend.
Only smaller younger trees exist around the lava flows.
A weather station can be found about a mile from the summit.