Windy Ridge Trail, Windy Ridge and Plains of Abraham & Plains of Abraham - Windy Pass Loop — Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015

South Cascades > Mount St. Helens

The Windy Ridge Trail is a great, quick trail from the Windy Ridge Parking area along an old logging road. It's 2 miles each way (2.25 miles if you head down the hill at the end, to the trailhead for Windy Trail) and doesn't gain much elevation. The trail is dry and there is minimal shade, so we brought plenty of water. After completing the Windy Ridge Trail (down to the end of the logging road, to the trailhead for the Windy Trail) and heading back up the hill, we turned off to the Plains of Abraham Loop. This trail offered great views, and it was nice to make it a loop trail rather than the out and back. It does start somewhat steep (there are stairs while going up part of the ridgeline) but the views were amazing all around (Mount Adams, Mount St Helens, Mount Hood-?-that was what a fellow hiker said we were pointing to, but I wasn't sure). Beautiful hike!