Loowit Trail

based on 336 tracks & routes #1 hike out of 99 in
29.2 mi
Distance
14 hrs 35 min
Time
terrain
2,164 ft
Elev Gain

Overview

Proceed cautiously on this 29.6-mile loop trail near Cougar, Washington.
Generally considered a highly challenging route, it takes an average of 15 hours and 13 minutes to complete and should only be attempted by experienced adventurers. This loop circumnavigates Mount St. Helens and offers a striking variety of terrain—ranging from vast pumice fields and blast zones to forested sections and rocky ridgelines.

Popular for backpacking, hiking, and trail running, the trail still provides moments of solitude, especially during off-peak hours. It can be hiked in either direction and is most often done as a multi-day backpacking trip. Trekking poles are highly recommended due to uneven and exposed sections. Some parts of the route are extremely rocky and require careful footing.

Dogs are not allowed, and the best time to hike is from June through October. This is a strenuous route with little shade and limited water sources—plan accordingly.


Sights to See


    Rate this Hike

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    5 years, 9 months ago
    I started 9/25/20 at windy ridge. From there went ccw, camped on the south fork of the river just past the restricted zone. 8am to 3pm about 12.5 miles. Wind and rain force me to make camp. Best section of the trail IMO lots of animals, the breach was amazing! Day two I broke camp around 8am and pushed all the way back to windy ridge 20 miles or so. Hit the car around 4:30pm. One thing I was not expect was all of the ravines! Probably crossed 20+! and due to the heavy rains the water crossing were interesting. I packed way too heavy anticipating taking three days to complete. I think with better weather and a lighter pack it would be doable in one day for an average hiker. Be smart about water, even with heavy rains there wasn’t much to be found. I didn’t see any water fit to drink even with a life straw from the breach to chocolate falls. Back side of the mountain was better as far as water goes. Overall an amazing hike!
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    6 years ago
    Really diverse trail with lots of loose dirt. Trail ran the 50k
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    1 month, 2 weeks ago
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    10 months ago
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    11 months, 2 weeks ago
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    11 months, 3 weeks ago
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    2 years, 7 months ago
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    2 years, 11 months ago
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    3 years, 10 months ago
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Public Tracks

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RossComer 9 years, 10 months ago
Volcanic 50K
https://gobeyondracing.com/races/volcanic-50 Marble Mountain to Butte Camp A/S 1: 0-6.3 2.24 Turn Left onto Loowit Trail 4.15 Continue Straight past Ptarmigan Trail A/S 1 to Toutle River A/S 2: 6.3-12.2 9.4 Bear Right at Sheep Canyon Trail A/S 2 to The Spring A/S 3: 12.2-20.3 12.2 Head north & east 13.4 Turn Right at junction of Fairview Trail 18.9 Turn Right at junction of unknown trail after blast zone 19.6 Turn Left at junction to Loowit Falls A/S 3 to Ape Canyon A/S 4: 20.3-24.0 20.6 Turn Right at junction to Windy Ridge Trail 21.7 Windy Pass! 22.5 Turn Right at junction of Abraham Trail A/S 4 to Finish: 24-32.3 29: Bear Right at junction of June Lake Trail 30.1 Turn Left onto Swift Creek Trail
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HighSage2806 3 years, 10 months ago
(new) helens
day 1: 21.2mi (5674up/6152down) day 2: 7.4mi (3352up/1937down) day 3: 6.6mi (3895up/4820down)
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Grant Legler 1 year, 2 months ago
Loowit Trail
1: 9.5m to Toutle River 2: 16m to June Lake 3: 9.5m to summit, then finish
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HolyBirch8917 2 weeks, 3 days ago
Saturday Morning Hiking
With Chris, Chris, Sarah and Zach. Started at 5: 30am
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HighFlurry3931 5 years, 11 months ago
Loowit - July 2020
Hike counter-clockwise starting at Climbers Bivouac.
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mackinaut 2 weeks, 6 days ago
Full Loowit Trail
Starting from Climbers Bivouac TH.
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LastSequoia2091 9 months, 3 weeks ago
Trail Run
Recorded on COROS PACE 3
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TRF2 8 years, 11 months ago
Track (7/19/17, 1:13:20PM)
Looit Trail clockwise
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Nate Lackey 2 weeks, 4 days ago
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