After a hike through the Ape Cave, we parked at the Butte Camp trailhead. There were one or two other cars parked nearby. We were quickly greeted by our first view of Mt Saint Helens from the lava field. Spectacular already on a beautiful day! We then hiked 2.5 miles and about 900 ft up to Butte Camp itself. On the hike up we crossed many empty culverts and dry streambeds, and at first were a bit worried about water. But at the camp it was a true oasis with plenty of running water! There were 4 or 5 other tents in the area and so we found our own little spot to make camp. By this time a cloud had settled down on us and it was very humid through the night.
Day two we woke within the cloud, and it was quite cool. We hiked up the trail and about halfway to the Loowit the clouds parted, and it was clear blue skies and sun! It was so beautiful as we reached the Loowit, which goes all the way around the mountain. We ventured a bit West but then mainly East from the junction. We tried to make it to Monitor Ridge but the lava fields made the going slow and so we turned back. We contacted a hiker on Mt Hood about 60 miles away on our ham radio, though, what fun!
Day three we broke camp and headed back down the mountain. What an adventure! It made us think about trying to summit from the South side one day.
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