We began on the Ape Canyon trail. This unassuming trail head leads to quite a breathtaking view of the Muddy River drainage. This hike was very pleasant and not too steep. It was an extremely comfortable climb leading to my ultimate goal, The Loowit Trail. Ape Canyon trail is well maintained and heavily used. I encountered hunters, bikers, runners, and dogs. Be careful on this trail, you have a good chance of coming upon user traffic. The hike continues through some beautiful stands of forest and back out to clear views of St. Helen's in all her glory. The only issue with Ape Canyon trail was that the Vine Maple hung low, heavy with rain. Also, there was one big blow down about halfway up (careful on a bike!). Though the map says five miles to The Loowit junction, we got there much quicker than anticipated. Once we got to the junction we headed south and you should too if you are a hiker or backpacker. The bikers and runners all went North towards The Plains of Abraham, leaving the Southbound Loowit clear and comfy for backpackers and hikers. The trail has recently been worked on and is easy to follow and tread upon. The drainages present some difficulty as they are steep and narrow. It may be a challenge for some, but if you made it that far, chances are it will be a cake walk for you. Be sure to have a camera and clear memory card, it is a unique world up there. I came away with some good shots of Marmots, Pikas, and even Mountain Goats. Lastly, I have never seen so many huckleberries before in my life and I live in Trout Lake! If you get up there soon you can enjoy the bounty, there is plenty. Happy hiking!

A friend and I hiked the Loowit Trail starting at June Lake TH in one day. Overcast skies made for easy hiking but the terrain worked our feet. 10:26 minutes after starting we were back at the car, completed our circumnavigation of Mt. St. Helens. For a full trail report in the clockwise direction you can read it here. http://www.adventuresofscatman.com/2010/09/loowit-trail-report/ On the bottom of the page before my signature you'll find a link to my Trip Report which has a video and links to Flickr with pictures. The Loowit Trail is an incredible experience. A must for any hiker. Scatman Get out there!

I started my hike at the unusually unassuming June Lake Trail head. The June lake Trail meanders for just about a mile through a refreshing creek side environment. It offers a great view of Mt. St. Helen's and is just a tiny taste of the beauty that is to come on the Loowit Trail. After a short time you will be let out into a clearing with a tiny body of water (yes, this is June Lake). This body of water is a true gem. It's place in this journey is otherworldly and seems to appear out of the pages of a comic book. From here, continue onward up the June Lake trail to the Loowit Trail junction. From here I went east and you will want to as well. The trail has been recently maintained and is just a wonderful stretch of forest. You will weave in and out of forest and rock for about a mile and a quarter with plenty of areas that are picture perfect. This forested section stays the same elevation and is a great precursor to the elevation gain at the end of this mile and quarter. Once you get to this point the trail climbs up a steep section of the trail, which is also very nicely maintained, that reaches 4,000 feet after about a mile. Fear not, on a clear day you can see Mt. Adam's and Mt. Hood in all of their respective splendors. When I did this hike it started in the gloom of a cloudy day but hiking this section you break free and are high above the world with an unmistakable view. The trail continues through some beautiful washes into another forested section. This section appears to be the next on the list of work to be done. It was started and not finished. But if you choose to press on (and you should) you will get to a meadow that has views of Helen's, Rainier, Adams, and Hood. This is a mind blower. Take your time on this one, there is so much to see and you wont want it to go by to fast. By the way, this is Pika country! happy hiking!!

Tackled the Loowit Trail as an overnight trip. This is a terrific loop hike which has incredible terrain reminiscent of routes which are typically at much high elevation. In light of the recent 30 year anniversary of the blast, I want to see succession at work with my own eyes. Mount St. Helens did not disappoint. I left the jam packed Climbers Bivouac trail head around 10:30 am. The south side the volcano was submersed in low cloud cover. Knowing what solar exposure most likely awaited, I embraced the crisp and damp air. I made quick time to the junction with the Loowit TR# 216 and start my counter clockwise route. Upon intersecting with the winter climbing route I headed up slope for a taste of sun light and lunch. Meet two backpackers from Montana who were in route on the loop in the direction, with plan of staying at June Lake. The low visibility made navigating the boulder field just before the June Lake junction a bit tricky. Not too troublesome as the large posts and rock cairns lead the way, but a bit of patience was required. The trail beyond the June Lake junction is looking great thanks to the crew from WTA. Strong work guys and thanks for your hard work. This section was surely the nicest on the loop. Clouds finally completely cleared around 1:00 PM. The crossing at Muddy River was a little messy. The lose rock and ash on much of trail become troublesome in most of the washes around the dome. Hiking poles and gators highly recommended. My afternoon stroll across the Plains of Abraham was a nice cool down from a day of hiking. Replenished water prior to ascending to Windy Pass to make camp at approximately 12 miles in. This is just prior to the boundary of the research area where camping is prohibited. Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, & Mt. Hood were all in view at sunset. This dry camp is certainly a room with a view but is limited on space and I would only recommend this spot for a quick crash. Otherwise stay down below just below the climb to the pass. By doing this you can also avoid the condition of the pass’ name sake... the wind. Sunrise was a delight as was breakfast at Loowit Falls. Spirit Lake remained cloaked in clouds for most the morning. Traversing the blast zone gains one the perspective as to just how massive the 1980 eruption was. Gazing up slope at the breech is jay droping. Just before the climb up Studebaker Ridge, I had a close encounter with a sizable Elk herd. There were at least 2 dozen in this healthy bunch, including several young ones. Keep your eyes peeled in this general vicinity as tracks and droppings preceded my spotting and continued along the trail for at least a 1/4 mile. The Toutle River was a surprisingly large canyon. Fill up on water here as the trail remains dry until just beyond the Butte Camp junction. Thankfully the ascent out of the canyon is tree covered but beyond here it thins out. To compound the lack of water on this section, the remainder the trail stays primarily out of tree line. Western exposure in the afternoon should be considered. Keep your self hydrated, thankfully temps were tolerable. Made it back to the trailhead around 5:30 PM. This 20 mile segment made for along day but well worth the exertion.

June Lake Trailhead to Loowit to halfway to Ape Canyon Overall impressions Wow! The snow is GONE. This is a great section of the Loowit to hike, easily done for a day hike with incredible views, lots of wildflowers, and even some wildlife if you're lucky. We saw a pika, long-tailed weasel, tons of chipmunks and Douglas squirrels, some birds (heard more than saw), garter snakes, cool insects, and smelled but didn't see a herd of elk that must have only recently vacated the alpine meadow where we stopped. Do bring water as there is NONE from June Lake except a few snow patches that are rapidly disappearing. The lack of cover makes for extra hot hiking with the heat coming off the rocks as well as from the sky. It's about 1 1/3 mi. from June Lake Trailhead to Loowit junction, then 5 miles on the Loowit all the way to the Ape Canyon junction. The whole thing as a round trip day hike would be a moderate trip (under 12 miles, maybe 1,500' gain + some ups & downs). Or you could shuttle cars (or bum a ride) from one trailhead to the other. We only went about halfway to Ape junction, so don't hold me responsible for anything beyond that point. ;) To June Lake: The trail to June Lake is in great shape, but bring an extra baggie to pick up the leavings (wrappers, etc.) of less-educated hikers. The lake itself is beautiful and refreshing, if shallow & weedy. The trail from the shore to the waterfall is, well, a morass of devil's club, brambles, and barely-discernible pencil track. BUT it's really cool to look at the lake from behind the fall. A shower in the fall is lovely after a day of hot, dusty work or hiking, but that water is cold & coming down HARD! A dip in the lake is nearly as refreshing and you can still feel your scalp afterward (if you like that sort of thing). June Lake to Loowit and counter-clockwise: The trail up to the Loowit junction from the lake is fairly steep and parts need to be lopped, but it's no problem. There's a small path leading to the right part way up that goes to the waterfall. The last bit of that side-trail, though, is very steep and would definitely be dangerous for kids or anyone unwilling to go part way on your bum (deliberately or otherwise). Continuing on the main trail from the lake, once you turn right on the Loowit, the trail is GREAT thanks to the amazing work of 3 WTA work crews so far. The trail is seriously improved (brushed out, downed trees cut, scrabble catwalk widened to about 2 1/2' of nice tread) through about 2 miles past the junction. It then reverts to the scrabbly catwalk which, though narrow and covered with loose rock, is just fine if you're careful. Continuing toward Ape Canyon, the trail flattens out at around 4,000' and you need to watch your footing going in and out of a few washes that have eroded the trail. Past the 2nd large wash, you enter brush that is impinging on the trail pretty seriously, including a few trees that force you cliffside more than some may like. But don't worry; the WTA will be on that in no time. Views: starting from about mile past the June Lake unction, the views of Adams and Hood are fantastic. Continuing on, views of St. Helen's are also amazing. Past the 2nd large wash, you enter a large meadow where you are treated to views of these 3 + Rainier - breathtaking! Flowers in bloom (from June Lake Trailhead to 4,000' along Loowit way to Ape Canyon): Bear-grass. Tiger lily, lupine, thimbleberry, strawberry, white fawn lilies (almost done), Queen's cup lily, star-flowered false solomon's seal, mountain heather (white & pink), twin flower, trailing blackberry, subalpine spirea, paintbrush, goat's beard, bunchberry, western coralroot, alpine buckwheat, alumroot, foamflower, three-leaved anemone, Davidson's pentstemon