For an unforgettable trip that will turn your regular hike into a walk to remember, try heating things up — take a hike on a volcano! There are dozens of these volatile mountains in the continental US, many of which are open to adventurous hikers and campers. Here are a just a few of the best volcano hikes in the West Coast.
1. Mt. Saint Helens
Reopened to climbers in 1987, the southern slopes of this Washington State peak are available to hikers. The Monitor Ridge trail takes 7-12 hours to climb, and at the top, hikers can view the crater and blast area, as well as nearby peaks. Climbs above 4,800 feet require a permit.
Mt. Saint Helens made international headlines in 1980 when a tremendous eruption occurred, spewing tons of superheated gas and ash into the atmosphere. The heat from the blast vaporized the glacial ice atop the mountain, causing a flash flood of mud and debris-choked water that poured into the valley below.
2. Oregon’s South Sister
Part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, which stretches from California to British Columbia, this peak is the youngest (and southernmost) of the Three Sisters. Its last recorded eruption was over 2.000 years ago. A steep 1.5 mile hike through a dense hemlock forest brings you to a plateau offering gorgeous views of the Cascade Mountains. This is Oregon’s third tallest peak, featuring a broad crater with a small lake called Teardrop Pool.
3. Mount Shasta
One of the tallest peaks in the Cascade Arc, Mount Shasta is in northern California. Clearkreek is a popular hiking route, beginning at 6,480 feet. Bubbling hot springs and sulfurous gases are evidence that you are indeed taking a hike on a volcano. From the summit, you can see Mount McLaughlin and Shastina, the sister peak of Mount Shasta.
Related to 3 Best Volcano hikes in the West Coast: Hiking the Hawaiian Volcanoes, 5 of the World’s Biggest Volcanoes, 3 Biggest Volcano Eruptions in the Last 50 Years
Featured Image from Daniel Thomas/Unsplash
