Butte Camp, Loowit Trail — Saturday, Jul. 20, 2013

South Cascades > Mount St. Helens

Hiked the Butte Camp trail from the Red Rock Trailhead to Butte Camp on July 20, 2013. Side trip up the hill and north to the Loowit Trail later in the day. A highlight of this hike is actually the first 2 minutes. As you hike up a short switchback from the trailhead parking lot, on a clear day you have a decent panoramic view of Mt. St. Helens. The first section of the hike is on a rock field, but this only lasts for a few hundred yards. Just past the initial section, there is a section of bear grass that is very buggy. In hot weather, put on the bug spray before starting out! Bugs tapered off a bit when we got under forest canopy in about a quarter mile. Nice, level hike until Butte Camp. You are at the camp when you see water crossing over and along the trail. A great stream flows by the trail at camp. There is also a wooden pole marking the entrance to the camp site on your left. Lupines were in bloom in this area. Just pass Butte Camp, some switchbacks start out, taking you up the butte where the trail continues up and around. At the top, there is a great view of Mount Adams to the south. Continuing left after the Mount Adams viewpoint, another great view of Mt. St. Helen's south flank. Dry, hot conditions at the top and no water sources - fill up your bottle at Butte Camp. Nice alpine wildflower show at the Loowit trail. This trail is very exposed and above treeline. Good views of Mount Adams continue.