Butte Camp Trail to timberline on Mount St. Helens has become an annual hike since I was first introduced to this former climber's trail in 1975. (A few climbers still do the old south climb route, which starts lower than today's Monitor Ridge route from Climbers' Bivouac.)
We enjoy the diversity of habitats that the trail traverses with landmarks along the way to tick off the miles, like the Butte Camp Arch, the oasis of Butte Camp itself, and looking for Candy Stick under the ancient noble fir forest on the switchbacks above Butte Camp.
The trail was in good condition without any obstacles. We hiked steadily although the day felt warm on the south side of the mountain (temperatures in the 70s). We stopped for lunch in the forest shade before hiking the final half mile to the junction with the Loowit Trail.
We took photos and looked around for late-blooming wildflowers along the Loowit Trail before returning the way we came.
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