Vanson Peak Trail

Strenuous · Out-and-back · 12.4 mi round trip · 2,847 ft gain · 5¼–7¼ hr

Alpine lakeWaterfall

Parkingnot reported today

A long, demanding day; experienced hikers in good shape.

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No hiker reports in the last 3 days. Be the first to report here

At this trail

Pack it out.

Parking passNorthwest Forest Pass, $5 per day or $30 per year or an America the Beautiful pass

PermitsDay hikes: none. Overnight: wilderness permit.

AreaMount St. Helens and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest › U.S. Forest Service

Officialconditions › · roads › · fees › · permits ›

Rules, passes and closures change. Check the official Forest Service site before you go.

Getting there

Starts at Goat Creek Trailhead · 1 other trail starts here

Navigate to the trailhead: Google Maps · Apple Maps · coordinates 46.42942, -122.15492

Right now

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⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27th, 2026, until further notice: Both directions of SR 504 at milepost 45.0 remain CLOSED at the winter gate for construction to rebuilWSDOT · 18 km · Jul 28 · details ›

⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27, until further notice: Crews are rebuilding the SR 504 Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge over South Coldwater Creek between mileposts 49-49.2WSDOT · 17 km · May 5 · details ›

Fire RestrictionsThere are no current fire restrictions on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Even with lower fire risk please continue to practice safe fire habits: never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it is completely…Forest Service · Sep 18 · details ›

TodayAM51°

TonightPM38°5%

TueAM51°8%

TuePM45°4%

WedAM55°4%

WedPM46°

ThuAM64°

ThuPM51°

Sunny, wind 5 mph · Full forecast ›

Daylight7:24 am 6:24 pm

Air qualityAQI 17 Good

Snow0″ snow at Spirit Lake (3,520 ft, 18.8 km away)
Typical year: normally snow-free now · usually melted out by about Mar 22 · typical peak Mar 4