Loowit Trail — Saturday, Jul. 26, 2025

I did the Loowit Trail in 3 nights, 4 days, clockwise beginning from Climber’s Bivouac.

Day 1: Climber’s to Toutle South Fork camp.

Day 2: Cross the blast zone, camped at the single campsite near a nice creek right at the foot of Windy Pass

Day 3: Plains of Abraham and those sketchy gullies to June Lake.

Day 4: June Lake back out to Climbers Bivouac.

Absolutely stunning. Some moments really made me question my life choices but overall highly recommended.

I felt the most beaten up the first night. The first big boulder field, a couple of rough going gullies, one of which required ropes, and a steep descent to the Toutle River camp left me quite ready to filter a bit of water from the Toutle River and then call it a day.

Crossing the blast zone was not as bad as anticipated, with the exception of Windy Pass which had me composing farewell messages to loved ones in my head.

I camped in the lone campsite, not on any map that I've seen, next to a gushing creek at the foot of Windy Pass, maybe a mile and a bit from Pumice Butte.

The hike from Plains of Abraham to June Lake was lovely except for the descent/ascent into/out of the Muddy River gully.

June Lake back to Climber’s Bivouac was not too bad, except for that long ascent after the big boulder field seemed to go on forEVER.

Water:

I did not see any water between Climber’s Bivouac and Toutle River South Fork.

As of Sunday, July 27 there were three water sources inside the blast zone, of which two were usable. Both were on the side close to Windy Pass. Going clockwise, pass the big silty river and the trail branch to Loowit Falls. After that the two good creeks are fairly close together, robustly flowing and looked clear. I refilled at the one with all the bushes.

Immediately at the foot of Windy Pass as you begin the Plains of Abraham there is a great little creek (next to that sweet campsite). Pumice Butte has a decent creek, and a couple of the gullies en route to June Lake are also usable.

June Lake is a great water source.

I counted 2 more usable creeks between June Lake and the Ptmarigan/Monitor Ridege Junction.

Wildlife: A few mountain goats up on the East Cone and a couple of coyotes on the Plains of Abraham. All too far away to photograph well. Hundreds of chonky chipmunks living their best lives.

Other:

There’s a great campsite on a ledge near the creek at the winter route that’s not shown on any map that I've seen.

While by the map, this hike crosses some legitimately remote backcountry, the trail seemed quite busy. On Saturday and Sunday in particular it seemed that it was not possible to stop for more than a few minutes to take a picture or enjoy a moment of Zen without a trail runner or two clattering up behind. I met day hikers every day and on every section of the trail; and of the three nights that I camped, I only camped alone on one of those. At Toutle River and June Lake there were campers straggling in until well after dark. 

The good news is that if you do have a mishap the chances of someone coming along who might help or call for help are good. But if you're looking to get remote and spend time truly alone, this is probably the wrong time of year to look for that the Loowit Trail.

Apart from all that, every day, every part of the trail ran the gamut from austere windswept plains, dramatic other-planet-like landscapes, medows overflowing with wildflowers and humming with bumblebees, and lovely fragrant forests where you wade through ferns or bushes with ripe huckleberries. The Loowit Trail was absolutely gorgeous.

It is not easy. I surely did my share of cussing (especially at that ascent from the Winter Route Junction to the Ptarmigan Junction) but very, very worth it!