loowit loop
Location: Mt. St. Helens
32 miles total, 5, 500' gained
driving directions
trail map
forest service site
climbing permit info
weather forecast for this area
This is a loop hike around Mt. St. Helens on the Loowit trail.
It is suggested to start at the June Lake trailhead on the south side of St. Helens, and go clockwise around the Loowit trail. Due to camping restrictions on the north side, and potentially unreliable water, a two day/one night trip works well. But two nights is possible (see trail map). Conversely, day-hiking the full 32 miles is do-able; think about an early start, though, as there are many slow points (boulders, washouts, ropes, fords) that will decrease your normal pace. Any way you do it, the Loowit loop is nothing short of spectacular. The scenery, the challenge; but maybe most of all, the sense of circumnavigating a volcano and its destructive/regenerating terrain.
Since there is no trailhead directly on the Loowit trail, start from the June Lake trailhead and use the June Lake trail as the connector. Make your way up this popular path starting on the south side of Mt. St. Helens to the junction with the Loowit trail.
Cross a couple of boulder fields – not easy in poor visibility weather – and ascend to pass by the Monitor Ridge climbing route (see notes about possible side trip below). Continue on through more boulders and more views, reaching the South Fork Toutle River. After the ford, use a rope for assistance out of the gully, then ascend to astounding views up into the dramatic gouging the headwaters of the river have created. Reach the blast zone, and gaze from a viewpoint not normally seen: looking up into the crater and lava dome.
If you choose, check out Loowit Falls, which is about a 1 ½ mile round trip side trip off the Loowit trail. What a unique falls: yes, water is spilling over a cliff-side like other falls, but Loowit Falls has colors and geology like no other in the area.
Cross more open terrain – including an oasis of a water springs – before reaching the Plains of Abraham. Near level for a couple miles, with a postcard view directly to St. Helens.
Finish up the loop with some tricky little ascents/descents of washouts, requiring sure footing and focus.
No passes or permits required at June Lake trailhead or to complete the loop. Due to the relatively low elevation, can potentially be done as early as June.
Need more than going in a circle? The Loowit loop can be spiced up considerably by adding in a side trip to the summit of Mt. St. Helens. This is about a seven mile round trip from the Loowit trail, with 3,500’ gained, on tough tread. Could require a sizeable water haul, enough for the summit plus getting to the Toutle. Lighten your load by dropping your pack at the junction of Loowit/Ptarmigan trails, and maybe you’ll be surprised by the ease of ascent. Well, until the last 1,000’ of elevation or so. Climbing permit required – see link above.
driving directions
trail map
forest service site
climbing permit info
weather forecast for this area
This is a loop hike around Mt. St. Helens on the Loowit trail.
It is suggested to start at the June Lake trailhead on the south side of St. Helens, and go clockwise around the Loowit trail. Due to camping restrictions on the north side, and potentially unreliable water, a two day/one night trip works well. But two nights is possible (see trail map). Conversely, day-hiking the full 32 miles is do-able; think about an early start, though, as there are many slow points (boulders, washouts, ropes, fords) that will decrease your normal pace. Any way you do it, the Loowit loop is nothing short of spectacular. The scenery, the challenge; but maybe most of all, the sense of circumnavigating a volcano and its destructive/regenerating terrain.
Since there is no trailhead directly on the Loowit trail, start from the June Lake trailhead and use the June Lake trail as the connector. Make your way up this popular path starting on the south side of Mt. St. Helens to the junction with the Loowit trail.
Cross a couple of boulder fields – not easy in poor visibility weather – and ascend to pass by the Monitor Ridge climbing route (see notes about possible side trip below). Continue on through more boulders and more views, reaching the South Fork Toutle River. After the ford, use a rope for assistance out of the gully, then ascend to astounding views up into the dramatic gouging the headwaters of the river have created. Reach the blast zone, and gaze from a viewpoint not normally seen: looking up into the crater and lava dome.
If you choose, check out Loowit Falls, which is about a 1 ½ mile round trip side trip off the Loowit trail. What a unique falls: yes, water is spilling over a cliff-side like other falls, but Loowit Falls has colors and geology like no other in the area.
Cross more open terrain – including an oasis of a water springs – before reaching the Plains of Abraham. Near level for a couple miles, with a postcard view directly to St. Helens.
Finish up the loop with some tricky little ascents/descents of washouts, requiring sure footing and focus.
No passes or permits required at June Lake trailhead or to complete the loop. Due to the relatively low elevation, can potentially be done as early as June.
Need more than going in a circle? The Loowit loop can be spiced up considerably by adding in a side trip to the summit of Mt. St. Helens. This is about a seven mile round trip from the Loowit trail, with 3,500’ gained, on tough tread. Could require a sizeable water haul, enough for the summit plus getting to the Toutle. Lighten your load by dropping your pack at the junction of Loowit/Ptarmigan trails, and maybe you’ll be surprised by the ease of ascent. Well, until the last 1,000’ of elevation or so. Climbing permit required – see link above.
Typical boulder field
Using a rope to descend a washout
Sheep Canyon
S. Fork Toutle River canyon
Blast zone
Loowit Falls - side trail gets much closer
Mt. Hood from Windy Pass
Plains of Abraham
Side trip - view from summit