June Lake

The trail begins at the edge of a paved parking area just off Forest Road 83. An information kiosk at the edge of the lot has a map of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument as well as information for visitors; if you haven't already got a map in your pack, snap a shot of this map to carry with you as you hike. 

A brown sign with arrows clearly marks the start of the trail leading toward June Lake Ski Trail and the 1.5-mile-long Pika Ski Trail. This trail provides both a family-friendly hike and the shortest access to the Loowit Trail (but please keep in mind that the June Lake parking area is day-use only, so overnight backpackers on the Loowit Trail will need to access the trail elsewhere), making this a well-traveled trail for day hikers and snowshoers.

Climb gently, starting at June Creek and working your way in and out of second-growth forest. You will continue along or above the creek, which can be heard in its canyon below. The trail is primarily dirt, sand and rocks with some roots and log steps along the way.  Along the trail, depending on the season, you may see ferns, huckleberry bushes, wild strawberries, lupine, trillium, avalanche lilies or beargrass, while Mount St. Helens plays peek-a-boo through the trees to your left.

A mile in, the trail descends gradually and crosses a bridge. Just past the bridge, you will come to the unsigned intersection on the left for Pika Ski trail. At this intersection, continue forward on the trail toward June Lake. Just before you get to the lake, the trail opens up to an area of pumice soils with short trees and rocks. Here, the June Lake Trail continues ahead and climbs steeply to connect with the Loowit Trail. Since you're heading to June Lake, turn right, making your way through the trees to the lakeshore.

Sitting pretty at 3,140 feet, June Lake is a charming little lake formed by a 2,000-year-old lava flow, which blocked June Creek, a tributary of Swift Creek. The cool, clear water is lovely on a sunny day, dotted with logs growing small shrubs and trees, which cast reflections on the water. 

The sound and sight of a 70-foot waterfall across the lake adds magic to the area as it spills over a basalt cliff onto a mass of bright green mossy rocks. Smaller waterfalls cascade down the rocks on either side as a bald eagle soars above. Peer into the water along the silty lake bottom and you may see Cascade frogs, periwinkles and salamanders. It's a perfect place to have a picnic before returning the way you came or continuing on to other connecting trails.