Boundary Trail, Hummocks Trail — Saturday, Apr. 5, 2025

Bottom Line:

Perfect weekend to hike the Boundary Trail from Hummocks Trailhead to Johnston Ridge Observatory (JRO), with (mostly) snow-free trails until the Loowit Viewpoint and maybe a 1/4-mile grunt through some deep, soft snow to the (closed) observatory. Simply sublime mountain views of deep wind-textured snow, the lava dome and its encircling glacier (the only growing glacier in the state) and Spirit Lake. The views are amazing from trail start to end, with in-your-face views the entire way out, and the mountain largely to your back on the return. Much easier to get full mountain views this time of year than say at Rainier, where access to JRO-like perches is more limited by road closures. SR 504 is closed beyond Hummocks due to a washout, so hiking is the only access to JRO is via trail - lots of elk and goats as a result!

Stats:

• Distance: 10-1/2 miles
• Vertical: 2210 ft
• Duration: 5-1/2 hours
• Road/Parking: The upper portion of SR 504 remains closed due to the May 2023 "South Coldwater Slide" washout (estimated reopening in 2027). The road closure at one time blocked access to the Hummocks Trailhead, but now sits just beyond, making the Hummocks to Boundary trails a great route to JRO, now quiet and serene due to the limited access. The parking lot at Hummocks is large (>50 cars). National Forest Pass required. No evidence of break-ins but there *was* some suspicious activity with a truck hanging around; we try to take pictures of license plates of any suspicious vehicles before heading out now in case there is a break-in.
• Weather: Sunny with increasing high cloud; very windy at JRO but calm down in Hummocks; 40s-50sF but seemed much warmer (and even hot at times) in the sunshine. There is virtually no shelter on this trail so pack the sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Water: There is little flowing water on this trail for filtering once you ascend the ridge above Hummocks - carry water.
• Trail: Traveling 1/2-mile clockwise on the Hummocks trail, you will reach the Boundary trail, and then it is a straight shot all the way to JRO. While Hummocks is relatively treed (alder) with lots of little ponds and mounds of volcano debris, the boundary trail is completely open terrain with stumps from the pre-eruption forest, and fantastic views of the mountain the entire length of the trail. It is in good condition, and mostly dry. There is a creek and backside ridge traverse before Loowit (where trees survived) that has a short section of snow; otherwise, you only really reach snow beyond Loowit. The snow was deep and snow for the last 1/4-mile to JRO with some significant postholing. Snowshoes are not really justified since you would be carrying them for 90% of the trail, but this last stretch will slow you down a bit. JRO is closed, but there is an alcove outside the entrance where you can get out of the wind for a bit. The Boundary Trail was quiet - just saw a few other parties. There are a few flowers down in Hummocks, but spring has otherwise not really arrived quite yet. NOTE: You can see where the summer permit-only ascent to the crater rim drops you off - the "V" to the right of the lava dome on the back crater wall.
• Takeaway: Beautiful time of year for a visit with all the snow on the mountain yet a relatively snow-free trail. Excellent views of the crater, lava dome and surrounding glacier. I would like to come back during (the short) flower season, before the landscape gets very dry, dusty and brown until fall. Also, a perfect time for a sunrise or sunset hike with all the snow on the mountain!

The attached video captures the trail end-to-end (this one is about the whole journey) as well as some higher-definition pics ;)

More Information on this Trip Report

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