Unforgettable Loowit Trail (Mount St Helens Photos) Camping Outdoors

The Mount St. Helens area has and always will draw me to her. Who can't help being in complete awe of such destruction from the eruption. She went off a few weeks after I was born. The draw to my soul is so overwhelming with such spiritual power that words can't describe.

This backpacking trip would all be a part in the growth of my minimalist journey. What energy's would I feel putting my feet in her ash for so many miles?

Mother Earth watches over our bodies. Keep our dreams safe this night as we sleep.

A friend asked me back in winter to join her for an adventure. She had dreams about walking the Loowit Trail; which is a 32 mile loop around Mount St. Helens. I of coarse accepted such awesome chance for an unique journey.

Thinking about it in the weeks to follow. I suggested an extension to that route; since feeling it wasn't enough distance for the days allotted.

A double loop could be done with the Loowit Trail and in the 30 mile Mount Margaret Backcountry Area. With these 2 loops an 'out and back' section in the 6 mile middle must be done to form sort of a 'figure 8' on the map.

The Forest Service questionably does not set this up for you to easily be able to connect the two loops. Since the whole north end of the mountain is strictly prohibited camping. This makes for a 14 hour day for us through desert like terrain, endless gullies to traverse, with limited drinking water and no trees to shade the sun.

68 miles ( 20,000' + accent estimated - haven't added it up yet )

This indeed would be an epic route and asked if she was up for the challenge. She cautiously accepted; since this would be her first distance backpacking trip.

If we would of known the ruggedness of the trail in the north end of the Mount Margaret Area. Would have for sure planned a 'zero day' to give our bodies rest from the physical demand need to finish this route.

First steps on the Loowit Trail

Representing the next few hours of lava balancing act

The end is near for the night from the lava

backpacking mount st. helens Loowit Trail

One of the many gullies to cross for the evening

Gully scramble

Listening to Elk 'bark' as the sun resides

Volcanic backpacking with my Luna Sandals

Enjoying the wildflowers

as time goes still

evening gully scramble

around the next ridge

Sunset - the next 2 hours was all via headlamp until we hit the sleeping bags at Midnight.

Early morning meadows

Saying hello to the Toutle River Crossing from high above. Time for the long descent below

Toutle River scramble to get to the ford

Toutle River Ford - water is actually warm compared to the Olympic Mountains

Toutle River crossing ascent. Rocks toward the top are kind of sketchy if you dont like heights

Almost back to the rim of the Toutle

Lots of earth flowed down the Toutle River from the eruption

Chameleon Vibram Fivefinger Seeya against the Ash

Path next to all that destruction. Powerful feelings

First views of the Mount Margaret Backcountry on the horizon

crossing Pumice Plain

Looking for the best crossing - water was full of warm ash

first steps off the Loowit Trail - Spirit Lake dead ahead

Ascending toward the Boundary Trail - Its been hours without much water

Walking into the mist

This piece of logging equipment didn't make it

this picture represents the rest of the day on the 'trail'

Cold Water Creek

Up and up on a primitive route

Game trail bushwhacking

Primitive Backpacking with the Luna Leadville

Lots of gullies to traverse in the jungle

Gully scrambling - don't look down

Ascending the jungle

Snow Lake - time for laundry, a bath and food

Home - Gossamer Gear Squall (no longer available) - thanks to Nivaun for the borrow

Attempting the Mount Whitter 'Trail' - turned around at a washed out gully - not worth risking serious injury - this would add 5 more miles to the day