Open Backpack - Loowit Trail

The Loowit Trail was created after its eruption on May 18, 1980.   It was very interesting to see the various aspects of the land surrounding this peak during our 3 day backpack.

In order to reach the Loowit trail, we had to first hike 2.5 miles/800'gain from the sno-park parking area to the junction of the Loowit and June Lake Trails.  We walked the road to the June Lake TH, took a short break at the small June Lake and then continued to the Loowit Trail.

June Lake TH:

June Lake:

June Lake & Loowit Trail junction:  

We wanted to get the harder part of the backpack finished the first day so we went clockwise.  We're soon rock hopping over the lava boulder fields (Worm Flow area) interspersed with trail under a cloudy sky that kept us cool.   Tall white poles and occasional cairns mark the way.  We take a break at Chocolate Falls before continuing onward.We occasionally cross soft patches of snow.   We all have our Microspikes, but did not use on this trip.  The low clouds continue to hide much of Mt St Helens.

Back to more boulders to traverse.

The clouds begin lifting and we finally start leaving the rock hopping behind.  Large patches of heather are blooming profusely.

We descend in and out of small gullies on hardpacked sand and rock.

A rope is provided for the 4 deeper gullies we will encounter. Getting  in and out of the gully the other side.

We come to a section of trail with gorgeous bear grass! 

Heading down to the S Fork of the Toutle where we'll spend the night.  Amazing erosional features carved by the blast and water.

The Toutle is down there, 15 miles/3500' gain from where we started this morning.We spend a nice night on the banks of the S Fork of the Toutle River.    It's beautiful the next day.We had no problem wading across the river the day before.   Departing camp at 7am, it's another rope climb to reach the other side of the river and an ascension of another 1.5 miles to the blast zone.  This rope looked a little worn, but the core looked fine.

We're soon in the Blast Zone which is on the north side of Mt St Helens.Looking back down at the Toutle and from where we just came.This is what the blast zone looks like 45 years later.  Wow!  No camping is allowed here.Looking northerly. A lovely breeze kept us cool on this mid-70 degree day.Several small streams to cross.  This was the biggest.Spirit Lake.  Log jams on the other side.Loowit Falls is ahead.We drop our packs at the Loowit Falls junction and some of us quickly hike to the falls.  The sign at the junction reads 1/4 mile to the falls, but it's actually 1/2 mile. Continuing on.  Mt Adams looking stunning.Mt Rainier peaking above Spirit Lake.What feels like the hardest gain for the day, up to Windy Pass (saddle in the photo).Glad for the switchbacks.Time for a break at Windy Pass.Another look back at where we just came from.  Heading more south now.Heading down the other side of Windy Pass.  This section was a little sketch with the hardpan soil and being eroded.This is where we found lupins carpeting  he ground.  Beautiful!Last photo of the day.   We went 13.3miles/3300' gain today.  If it hadn't been for the wonderful cooling breeze, it would have been tough as there is no shade here. One is allowed to camp anywhere along the Loowit except in the Blast Zone area.  One just has to find water.   The areas that were designated for camping on the map were not really large enough for our group so we kept our eyes open after leaving the Plains of Abraham.  Luckily we found a very nice place just southwest of Pumice Butte on the west side of the trail.  The water was a bit gritty, but our water filters did fine.  Our campsite at 5:30am.Mt Hood looked stunning from the knoll next to camp.We again left at 7am.  It was supposed to be in the 80's today.There were a couple gullies that were harder to cross than before and with no rope.Coming out of the hardest gully crossing we encountered.One more gully crossing.We stopped often to cool down and were very glad we had a shorter day today, about 8 miles/800' gain to go before reaching our cars.

I had a great group, all experienced and self sufficient.  I don't think this backpack could have been much better, maybe a little less heat on our last day.   Another worthwhile bucket list adventure completed.