Lake · Mount St. Helens
Vanson Lake
11.8 mi round trip3,368 ft gainVery hardDay hike: No permitOvernight: No permit
Get alerts for this hikePermits and reservations
Day hikeNo permit
No permit or reservation.
OvernightNo permit
No permit or reservation. Camp at least 200 ft from lakes and streams.
Outside wilderness and park boundaries, on Forest Service land. Matched from official boundaries and trail managers. Always confirm with the land manager before you go.
About the trail
Distance11.8 miRound trip, out and back
Elevation gain3,368 ftTotal climb, round trip
Lake elevation4,718 ftFrom elevation data
Overview
Vanson Lake is a lake reached by a 11.8-mile round trip from Trailhead on Forest Road 2750. The route follows Goat Creek Trail #205, then Goat Mountain Trail #217, then Vanson Lake Trail #217B to the shore.
Photos from hikers
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What you need
Parking and passes
Forest Service trailhead: display a Northwest Forest Pass or an interagency pass (America the Beautiful).
Buy a Northwest Forest PassGetting there
The hike starts at Trailhead on Forest Road 2750. Save directions offline before you leave, since mountain roads often lose cell service.