Road:

Road mostly clear to the TH. This morning, there was one patch of black ice on the way up to the highest point (Elk Rock VP). It was quite obvious if you're paying attention. I will note that on the way back, the snow along the side of the road was melting, so if it freezes overnight, there could be more slippery patches.

Hummocks:

No pass required to park. I only did the short leg of the loop that connects to the Boundary Trail. No snow or mud.

Boundary west to JRO:

HOLY WIND. (Typical, but still gets me every time.) It starts out innocent enough...lulling you into a false sense of security. Snow patches start about 1/2 mile from the Loowit viewpoint. At this point, the icy snow wasn't hard to cross, and I didn't need spikes. One note...I implore anyone reading this and hiking it to try to stay on the trail over the snow patches. This is such a precious, fragile area, and people are trampling the vegetation trying to get around the snow. Take the path less traveled and go over it with care...there are bootprints to follow.

The wind was out in full force at Loowit VP. From there, it was just me, the howling wind, and the goat tracks. Didn't look like anyone had been up recently. I still didn't feel the need to put on traction yet. The snow was not deep (or not even existent in parts) and was still hard and crunchy in the early morning.

I got to just about JRO and put on snowshoes to get down the final short slope to the parking area. Excellent views at the observatory, and you are able to find little hidey-holes out of the wind. I still wasn't ready to go back yet, and since I had my snowshoes on, I continued on towards Harry Ridge. Snowshoes are vital at this point. (On my return, I saw several very fresh postholed footprints that quickly turned around.) The snow is insanely deep in spots, and although it was only 9:30 am, it was getting soft and sloppy. I followed the wooden poles and Gaia to find the trail. It was absolutely awesome to have this magical place all to myself. Saw the mountain goats! I also noticed someone behind me had forged his own trail and had ended up on the roof of the observatory. (do not recommend???)

I made it about 1/2 mile to a gorgeous viewpoint, where I turned around. Snow/trail conditions were still okay, but I had reached my limit with the wind. The trail was definitely getting busy on my return. Lots of people out enjoying the sun and the best WA volcano. ;)

Road is paved and clear of snow all the way to the trailhead. We arrived on a Sunday about 9 am to one other car in the parking lot. Our original goal was to hike up the Johnston Ridge Observatory. It was very windy and almost hard to stay upright on the more exposed areas, so we turned around about 2.5 miles in, at an elevation of about 3300 ft. At that point there was no sign of snow on the trail. On our way down we did the remainder of the Hummocks loop to add some distance to our shortened hike. We saw a few other hikers and nature walkers, and returned to the trailhead where there was maybe 6 cars now. Overall a very cool area that seems to be secluded this time of year.

Great hike.  There was no problem getting to the trail head nor the hike.  At about 2 3/4 miles is when the snow really started.  It was melting snow and snow shoes would have been nice, but ultimately unneeded as gators and crampons worked just fine.  The Johnston Observatory had multiple goats all around but a fantastic view of the caldera.  The hike back saw significantly less snow due to temps in the 70's.       

A quick report, crossed referenced with Hummocks, since there hasn't been one for while. I didn't do the loop, nor go far on Boundary. The road is clear, Castle Lake viewpoint and Coldwater Lake are open, Elk Rock is not (though I met a snow plow in Kid Valley on my way home, and it was 60 degrees). Snow gone from the roadside after Castle Lake VP.

There was patchy snow on the trail in the alder copse on Boundary West. Not a problem. My turnaround point was just beyond the alders. A hiker reported a "large, deep" snowfield just before the trail starts up. He turned back. It was his first time on the trail. I met a group of women headed to JRO who were unconcerned by his report. :-)

Wonderful day at Mt St Helens, mid-week. Got there early. Only saw a handful of people. Gorgeous views, wildflowers and weather!