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Distance: ~31 miles

Elevation Gain: ~7,000 ft

Best Time of Year: Late June - October

Permits: NW Forest Pass

The Loowit Trail around Mt St. Helens has many compounding factors that make it more difficult than it appears on paper. Although it’s more than 10 miles shorter than its neighbor to the south, the Timberline Trail, I would argue that it’s just as difficult of an undertaking. Technical terrain, constant sun exposure and limited water sources make this route a physical and logistical challenge. 

Despite its difficulty this is an incredible and rewarding route. It offers other-worldly terrain and a surprising diversity of landscapes. Be prepared for a long day and start early to ensure success.

Choosing your time of year can be an important factor for this route- primarily because of the sun exposure. As long as the snow has melted out, late June to early July can be an excellent time to do the trail with beautiful wildflower blooms and reliable water sources. Late July through early September can be very hot and may not be a wise timeframe for those who do not handle heat well.  All the photos from this guide were taken in early October.  Fall colors are absolutely stunning in late September and early October on the trail. 

There are multiple potential start points for the route, but I prefer going clockwise starting at the June Lake TH as it allows you to knock out the majority of the boulder fields on fresh legs. From the trailhead you will travel about 1.4 miles to June Lake and the intersection with the Loowit Trail.  

After you break out of the trees you are beginning the technical and tricky-to-navigate boulder fields. This section of the route is marked by wood posts to help you find your way. The lava beds slowly relent and you find yourself on smoother trail surrounded by bear grass.

As you continue along the route you will alternate between forest and exposed sections. Eventually you will reach the Blue Lake Wash, a massive washout with steep dropoffs. Follow the new trail that detours lower on the mountain and descend the fixed rope into the gully, ascending a similar rope on the opposite side. 

Continue your run through sometimes-forested, sometimes-exposed trail until you reach the South Fork of the Toutle River. This is a similar canyon to that of Blue Lake Wash, but offers a reliable water source (waypoint: 46.21024, -122.25495). Many water crossings on this route are too silty and could clog your filter. In my experience, the water on the South Fork has worked fine with my water filter. Fill up well here, you are about to begin an exposed stretch until your next opportunity for water.

This next section offers little in the way of sun protection. You will likely cross a few flowing water sources, but they are rich with silt appearing like chocolate milk flowing from the mountain. Enjoy this section as it offers sweeping views of the moon-like terrain. It is common to see elk herds roaming in this area.

As you continue on this exposed section you will begin to believe there could not possibly be a water source. However there is a reliable spring that flows and forms an incredible oasis in this barren landscape (waypoint: 46.22738, -122.16639).  

Be sure to take proper time to recover here and hydrate and cool off. If you thought the last section was a slog, the next will feel two-fold. You will continue to wrap around the mountain in the heart of the northside blast zone which was obliterated in the mountain’s eruption. Far to your left you will see Spirit Lake riddled with logs that were knocked over in the blast. 

Be careful to stay on the Loowit trail here as you will soon come to a junction with Windy Trail on your left. I have made the mistake of taking this trail by accident and it makes your difficult day a little bit harder. You will begin to climb aiming for a notch in the hills called Windy Pass. Just as the name suggests, this pass can indeed be very windy. Depending on how hot it is, it may be a welcomed respite from the oppressive heat you’ve endured in the last section.  You will descend the backside of Windy Pass on loose rocks, being careful to stay upright.

After some meandering you will make your way into the Plains of Abraham. This section of trail is relatively smooth, but exposed as you continue to the junction with Ape Canyon Trail to your left. Again, be sure to stay on the Loowit Trail here. 

You will get back onto some more technical lava fields here. It is possible to find water in this area, but it is not reliable and is very likely filled with silt. Continue on this section until you hit a short section of boulder field that eventually takes you back to the junction with the June Lake Trail. You can refill at June Lake if needed or continue the 1.4 miles downhill back to your car. 

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Distance: ~11 Miles

Elevation Gain: ~2,800 feet

Best Time of Year: All-year round!

Permits: None

With the exception of the Wildwood End-to-End, the North Nasty is perhaps the most discussed route in Forest Park.  Its steep climbs and close proximity to town make it the perfect four-season training ground for aspiring mountain runners. In the wet season, this route can be a truly "nasty" mud pit, but that's half the fun. Escape the crowds and explore the "quiet side of the park" on this classic Forest Park route.

Trailhead:  Leif Erickson TH at Germantown

This route passes by several different trailheads. Therefore, you could conceivably park and start from any trailhead on the North Nasty. Be warned, car break-ins are a risk at all trailheads in Forest Park. Practice good habits and do not leave ANYTHING in your car. 

The Route:

Begin by entering through the gate for Firelane 9 on the North side of Germantown road. You will descend down to another gate, taking a right on an access road and then a sharp left on NW Wilark Ave into the neighborhood.  Follow this road until it ends and there is a stairway on your right that takes you down to a raised walkway above highway 30. Take a left at the bottom of the stairs and head for Linnton Trailhead.  

Linnton Trail starts with a gentle climb along the creek before crossing a footbridge and beginning to steepen. This is the first of the two biggest climbs on the route. As you ascend the switchbacks of Linnton trail, thick tree roots cover the trail and sword ferns line its flanks. In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated trails in the park. It has a much more wild vibe than most of the trails on the Southend of the park while still maintaining great trail conditions. 

Continue the long climb up Linnton trail until you intersect Firelane 10. Stay straight and continue climbing. As the climbing begins to mellow out you will continue straight when you pass the Wildwood trail junction until you reach Newton parking lot. From the parking lot, continue straight across the lot. This is the start of Newton road. Continue on this old road bed, passing by another junction with Wildwood trail before it begins a steep rocky descent. You will follow this trail down and around the hillside, crossing Newton creek.

Continue on the trail along the creek until the trail veers left, paralleling the highway below. Beginning in this section, beware of poison oak. In recent years, poison oak has begun to pop up in this area, specifically in the unshaded section right before you intersect BPA road.  

Take a left on BPA road, a powerline road easement and our stoutest climb of the day. Again, beware of trailside poison oak on this lower section, of which there is lots. This climb, although tough, is packed with wildflowers in the spring and berries in the summer.  It also offers unbelievable views of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Sauvie Island, and, on a clear day, Cascade volcanos to the North.

As you reach the top of BPA road, you can continue on the route, or make a short detour to the picnic tables at the top of the hill (right beneath the powerline pylons) via Firelane 13 on your right, remembering to return back to BPA to continue your route.

Continue on this upper, rolling section of BPA until you reach the turn for Firelane 12 on your right. You will take this turn down until you reach Firelane 15 on your left and begin climbing up Firelane 15.  Firelane 15 will continue to climb, passing another junction with the Wildwood trail.  Continue up and the climb will relent. This is the start of a more rolling section of Firelane 15. Continue past Kielhorn Meadows trail (this trail is a dead end) and pop out beneath the powerlines once again. 

From here you will descend then climb, then descend and then climb until you've reached Skyline Boulevard at the terminus of Firelane 15. You will turn left on Skyline, running along the road for a short bit. There is one blind corner on this road, but for the most part, running along this section of Skyline feels pretty safe.

As you continue on this road you will eventually hit the unassuming BPA parking on your left. It would be easy to miss if you were unfamiliar, so keep your eyes peeled. You will head through the gate and continue on this upper portion of BPA heading down to Wildwood trail. This junction can be a little confusing for some. You will first pass Wildwood trail on your left (continue past this) and then about a hundred feet later you will see Wildwood trail on your right. Take this right turn and hop onto wildwood for some nice rolling miles. 

This will take us all the way back to the junction with Newton road, but we will continue on Wildwood trail until we hit Firelane 10. Take a left on Firelane 10 and make the steep descent back down the climb we did earlier.  This time, be sure to make the sharp, winding right turn to continue on Firelane 10 when you hit Linnton trail. This will take you down to a creek crossing and then one more punchy climb back up to Germantown road. Take a left once you have popped out at Germantown and carefully cross the road back to your parked car.