FR 25 and 99 opened last week, so Patches, LA, MisNomer, and I headed out to Windy Ridge to see what we'd been missing all these years. We chose the "Plains of Abraham Loop" (Trails 207, 216D, 216, 216E), which heads south along Windy Ridge, climbs a richly adorned wildflower ridge, descends to the stark Plains of Abraham, then climbs up to Windy Pass before dropping down to cross the vast Pumice Plain. I can't believe I've never hiked this part of Mt. St. Helen's! The drive alone up to Windy Ridge Trailhead was spectular, with broad views of Mts. Adams, Rainier, St. Helen's, and even a glimpse of Hood. The Plains of Abraham loop begins at the far end of the parking lot, where "road closed" barriers mark the Truman Trail 207. Walk 1.7 miles along this wide but dusty road through the blast zone and savor the view of snow-covered Mt. Adams across Smith Creek Canyon and of course, an eye-popping view of Mt. St. Helen's herself. At the junction with Abraham Trail 216D, turn left and ascend a series of sand ladders which climbs southeast up a narrow pumice covered ridge. Nearly 2/3 of the elevation on this hike occurs here. As you cross the ridge, the wildflowers are in full bloom and their rich color contrasts sharply with the desolate, sun-baked Plains of Abraham, which come into view after you cross a series of draws. We saw tons of Cardwell's penstemon, small flowered penstemon, purple lupine, red paintbrush, Lewis monkey flower, and arnica, with slightly fewer Columbia lily and red columbine. As we climbed out of a wash onto our first view of the Plains, we encountered our first surprise: mountain bikers! I cannot even imagine the strength and fitness (and daring) it would take to bike this very narrow, shifting, pumice-covered trail that has a sheer drop-off on one side! The pair had started at Ape Canyon Trail and were headed to Windy Ridge. We actually encountered another trio of mountain bikers at the junction with Loowit Trail and they had started at Smith Creek Canyon. The open Plains of Abraham initially appeared desolate, grey, hot, and dusty, but surprisingly, they soon were dotted with colorful purple stands of penstemon and lupine all the way to the base of Mt. St. Helen's cone. At the junction with Loowit Trail, which is signed (albeit from the opposite direction), turn right and head to Windy Pass. The trail here courses west and is marked by large cairns. Look up and you'll see remnants of Nelson and Ape Glaciers and on the very rim of the crater, the Dog's Head, a lava dome that was built up on the northeast slop of St. Helen's by an eruption 2000 years ago. As you approach the mountain, the path bears slightly to the right and crosses a couple of washes, which sometimes obscure the trail. Just look for the cairns. We found the trail difficult to follow but knew it had to head up to Windy Pass. Here is a word of CAUTION: the climb up to Windy Pass is not for the faint of heart, little children, or those with a fear of slipping and falling down its loose pumice slopes. You wouldn't kill yourself but you'd probably scare yourself silly. We actually missed the "trail," which was no more than a series of footprints, but two hikers were coming down from the Pass, so we watched where they descended. Even so, the footing was quite insecure and the downward slope was around 45 degrees. At 4890 feet elevation, we hit Windy Pass and were thankful it was living up to its name, breathing on us a pleasantly welcome breeze. The blue waters of Spirit Lake came into view as we rounded the pass and turned north, the jagged ridges of the Mount Margaret Backcountry rising just beyond. The trail here is likewise precarious, as it's narrow, drops off severely to your left, and the shale shifts underfoot. Take a break and gawk at Mt. Rainier, which pops into view about two-thirds of the way down the trail. You'll go in and out a couple more washes and see a small waterfall on your left. This is one of only two sources of silty (but wet) water on the trail, the other being a small stream that runs through the gap just before you climb up to Windy Pass. If you need water, now's the time to pump. After crossing this little creekbed, follow the cairns northeast. Soon you'll see nothing but a small white path threading its way northwest across a vast pumice-filled plain, and though the thread seems to be traveling opposite the direction you want to go, it is nonetheless correct. Follow the thread and 1 mile from Windy Pass (and 6 miles from the trailhead) you'll come to a junction with Windy Trail 216E. To the left is the Loowit Trail, where a short side-trip gets you to Loowit Falls. However, we needed to head back home, so we turned right onto Windy Trail 216E to complete the loop. Dwarf lupine, pearly everlasting, kinnikinnik, and scraggly- looking Douglas fir, lodgepole pine, and western hemlock are starting to poke out of the mounds and mounds of pumice. You'll eventually come to a sign that marks the junction with the Truman Trail 207. Turn right and climb gently to the junction with the Abraham Trail. En route, though, you'll get treated to one last feast for the eyes: the hillside to your right is blanketed in brilliant purples and reds as penstemon, lupine, and paintbrush fight for supremacy. After that eye candy, it's back to the Truman Abraham Saddle, which completes the loop. From there, it's a very long 1.7 mile slog northeast back to your car at the Windy Ridge trailhead. All in all, a refreshingly different hike contrasting lush and colorful hillsides with barren dusty plains; beautiful vistas of all the nearby peaks, including Mt. Hood; a seldom-seen perspective of the crater of St. Helen's; outrageous hillside displays of summer wildflowers; awe-inspiring views of the blast zone and a peek at Spirit Lake. You'll get quite dusty and have lots of tiny pumice pebbles in your shoes. Make sure you carry plenty of water and pick a day with highs in the 70's because there's absolutely no shade on this trail! DIRECTIONS: U.S. Route 12 to Randle, turn right onto Washington Route 131 which becomes FR 25. Drive south for 20 miles to the junction with FR 99. Head west/south for 15.8 miles to Windy Ridge Viewpoint and Trailhead. The loop begins on the Truman Trail 207, which is marked by "road closed" barricades. DISTANCE: 8.7 miles TOTAL TIME (including lunch and rest stop): 5 hours ELEVATION/GAIN: 4110-4890 ft (780 ft gain) DIFFICULTY: Moderate. Footing is precarious and the trail descending is narrow in places. All the elevation gain occurs at two places: the sand ladders and the climb up to Windy Pass. The trail is hard to find sometimes, but fortunately, there are some cairns and, in any case, you always know the general direction you need to travel. MAPS: Green Trails No. 364 (Mt. St. Helen's) REQUIRED: Northwest Forest Pass SUGGESTED: hiking pole, gaiters or hiking boots, lots of water, sunscreen. Bathrooms available at the trailhead.