Hiking the Loowit trail

Mt St Helens

A round-the-mountain trail some 29 miles in length, plus the length of your access trail. August 2001 I attempted this trail from the June Lake trail head. I started under cloudy skies. By the 9th mile I was in clouds and the rains began lasting at least 80% of the hike. Needless to say I did not see much scenery. August of 2003 Don, Mike, and myself again attempted the trail from June Lake going counter clockwise. We got moving about 5 am and progessed from darkness to fog. At least this time the clouds parted but not until noon. The trail has deterioriated from 2 years ago. The trail was wiped out at one ravine necessitating a long detour. A portion of the trail out of Studebaker ravine was dangerous. Do note that the National Forest Service is not recommending this trail except to the most experienced hikers

The trail markers for crossing lava fields and the washouts through the restricted research area are good, eliminating a lot of guess work. The hike was good. We slept on the south side of the mountain not being able to complete the trek in 1 day. We had an excellent view of the planet Mars and a gorgeous sunrise. These photos are from the 2003 trek.

Okay, I lied. This is from the top of Mt Adams, August 1970

June Lake, 1.5 miles from trail head. Photographed the day prior as we would pass this way in darkness tomorrow.

You guessed it - fog on the trail And Mike disappearing into the morning mist.

Not to the restricted zone yet.

The descent out of Windy Pass is rocky and loose while the ascent was sandy with the upper portion eroded away making for a steep, loose footing, scramble to the top. The pass marked the beginning of the research area (restricted).

Looking northwest. Obviously in 20+ years there is regrowth..and this is looking toward the mountain (southwest)

An oasis - yes there is a nice stream amongst the plants

Loowit Falls , which flows from the crater. There is a short detour allowed for viewing.

This is an aerial view taken October 2004 looking at the mountain from the north. We've walked through this area heading west (to the right). The above photo came

from the USGS http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/MSH/Images/MSH04/crater_dome_eruption_october_2004.html

As we began our climb out of the blasted, washed out zone, we spotted elk Okay, they are just dots but at least you can admire the scene. Most of the elk we spotted ran away before I could get to a camera.

Looking back (eastward) along the trail. A corner of Spirit Lake in upper left.

Ah, blue sky and the west side of the mountain

Then looking westward at trees downed by the blast

This is the beginnings of a river, the South Toutle. We'll decend 800 feet to the river for a rest and lunch. THEN we began a ascent of 1600 feet up the opposite side. Then it's kinda downhill to the car but there are enough up's to still give you a workout.

Now we are on the south side of the mountain looking east at Butte Camp Dome.

A lava field to cross. Poles marking the way. Our shadows are getting longer. Soon we'll sleep under the stars sans sleeping bags but warm none the less. Don & Mike following the poles upwards.

Sunrise and trees Looking back and realizing there is only about 4 miles to go.