Mount Rainier or Mt St. Helens?

Submitted by Parking-End4612 t3_10oml7v in Washington

Hi All - I'm traveling with a friend to Washington the first week of May.

I'm looking for decision-help on which mountain to visit. Unfortunately, we only have the time to do one or the other, otherwise I'd see both.

I do understand there will be a lot of snow this time of year - so really looking to find out which one might be more accessible / worth the visit this time of year. Thank you!!!

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whidbeysounder t1_j6fn1b8 wrote

Both are great but Rainier has way more on the spectacular scale

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dtmi1212 t1_j6fu8t3 wrote

I'll say that the visitor center at Mt St Helens is fantastic if you want to learn about a volcano blowing its top.

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videocodec t1_j6g0ruy wrote

Mt. Rainier. You could do PNW trek and Mt Rainier together. St Helens is just remote. In May is shouldn't be too bad.

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domestication_never t1_j6g5vur wrote

Rainer. The road to the visitor center is kept open year round. It's not on Helens, you'd have to check.

You can drive between the two in a few hours from the dirt backroads that access spirit lake if you know what you are doing. Its a trip. They won't be open probably.

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grw2020 t1_j6k0qb4 wrote

From the Windy Ridge Viewpoint you can see 4 volcanoes! 538 steps to the top, well worth it.

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