Loowit Trail Gear Checklist
The Loowit Trail circles Mount St. Helens on rough lava, pumice and scree, and the forest says the whole loop is 30 miles. Nobody sells a permit for the trail itself. What shapes the pack is water, because reliable sources are few, and a 10-mile stretch on the north side where camping is banned. Hikers write about carrying 3 to 4 liters or more, a backup for silty water, poles for the Toutle River gully, a paper map for the blast zone and a plan for sun with almost no shade.
What shapes your gear on Loowit Trail
- How long people say it is
- The forest gives 30 miles. Writers measure it differently. WTA trip reports list 32 miles for the loop and one runner logged 28 in a single day. Mazamas puts it at 33 miles with 6,250 feet of gain, the 2017 trip guide at 30 miles with about 6,500 feet, and CleverHiker at 30 to 36 miles by trailhead, over 2 to 4 days.
From Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service), Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024, Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018, Mazamas, the 2017 trip guide and CleverHiker
- One day for the north side
- On the north side, between Windy Pass and the South Fork Toutle River, the forest bans camping, fires, bikes and leaving the trail. It calls this a 10-mile stretch that must be finished in one day. Dispersed camping is allowed elsewhere, with no marked campsites.
- Where one group slept
- A clockwise 3-day, 2-night trip in July 2024 found several camps in the trees above the Toutle River drop and spots on both banks. Sites just below Windy Pass were exposed and windy, so the group pressed on to Pumice Butte for tent spots with views of Adams and St. Helens.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024
- Time on the ground
- With short breaks and a steady pace, the July 2024 group took 10.5 hours from June Lake to the Toutle River, 10 hours from the river to Pumice Butte and 6 hours from Pumice Butte back to June Lake. The writer says that is only a little faster than one mile per hour.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024
- Ropes in the gullies
- A 2018 runner climbed in and out of the Toutle gully on ropes already in place, and a Mazamas leader says to expect a rope scramble out of that gully and nearby ravines. CleverHiker says the Forest Service ropes are often questionable and should be tested first.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018, Mazamas and CleverHiker
- Parking
- Using the trail costs nothing, the forest says. Parking at Ape Canyon, Climber's Bivouac and Windy Ridge takes $5 per vehicle per day or a recreation pass. For June Lake, one trip report says overnight parking is not permitted. CleverHiker says cars left overnight there are ticketed, and the 2017 trip guide lists June Lake as free to park.
From Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service), Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024, CleverHiker and the 2017 trip guide
What the agency requires on Loowit Trail
No permit for the trail, a pass at some trailheads
The forest charges nothing for trail use and sells no permit for it. Parking at Ape Canyon, Climber's Bivouac and Windy Ridge takes $5 per vehicle per day or a recreation pass.
A plan that clears the north side in one day
Between Windy Pass and the South Fork Toutle River, the forest prohibits camping, fires, bicycles, livestock and off-trail travel. It says to plan that 10-mile section as one day.
A way to treat every drink
The forest says to treat all non-potable water before drinking and notes that water is limited in late summer. It lists three year-round springs and says other creeks may dry out.
Dogs on a short leash, or at home
Per the forest, a dog on the trail needs a 6-foot leash at all times. It also lists pets as closed in the restricted 10-mile segment, so the two lines sit side by side on the page. CleverHiker calls the loop unsafe for dogs.
From Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service) and CleverHiker
What hikers carry on Loowit Trail
3 to 4 liters of water, then more in heat
The 2024 backpacker says at least 3 liters per person and 4 if you run thirsty or the day is warm. The 2017 trip guide also says carry at least 3. A 2018 runner carried 2.5 to 3 liters and refilled only once, at the Toutle River. CleverHiker plans on 4 liters per day and up to 6 on very hot days.
These numbers disagree, and the 2018 runner covered the loop in one day. The forest says only that water is limited in late summer.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024, the 2017 trip guide, Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018, CleverHiker and Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service)
Chlorine or iodine tablets as a backup for silt
CleverHiker used chlorine-dioxide tablets because some sources are silty. The 2017 trip guide packed iodine tablets in case silt clogs the filter, and says the Muddy River is usually too silty to filter.
From CleverHiker and the 2017 trip guide
A paper map and a phone app
The 2024 backpacker found the north side needed route-finding, used Green Trails 364S plus an app, and took a wrong turn onto the Castle Ridge trail at the junction after the Toutle River. A 2018 runner says the tread is no wider than a bootpath in places, with posts and cairns to follow.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024 and Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018
Trekking poles
The 2018 runner says poles saved the day at points on the lava. The 2017 trip guide wants them for glacial ravines and loose lava flows. CleverHiker recommends them and scouting the safest line across the Toutle River.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018, the 2017 trip guide and CleverHiker
Shoes with strong traction
CleverHiker says loose scree and pumice are common and recommends footwear with excellent traction. The 2018 runner says much of the trail is rocks you hop, step and climb over, so sure footing is a must.
From CleverHiker and Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018
Sun protection and a roll of rigid tape
The 2018 runner says sunscreen, poles and rigid tape each saved the trip at different points. The 2017 trip guide calls the trail very exposed to sun and hot in summer, and the 2024 writer found multiple stretches with no cover.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018, the 2017 trip guide and Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024
A rodent-proof food bag
the 2017 trip guide and CleverHiker both say bears are not a concern here but rodents are, and goats are mentioned too. CleverHiker suggests a storage sack. A Mazamas leader still asks applicants whether they know how to hang a bear bag.
From the 2017 trip guide, CleverHiker and Mazamas
Repellent for early summer
The forest says carrying mosquito repellent is advisable. CleverHiker says mosquitoes show up in early summer and fade later, and treats clothing with permethrin. The 2018 and 2024 reports both saw no bugs in late summer.
From Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service), CleverHiker, Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018 and Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024
A warm layer and rain shell
CleverHiker says rain, snow and freezing temperatures are possible even in summer. Mazamas calls nearly all of the trail very exposed to the elements. The 2017 trip guide packed a rain jacket and a light down jacket for camp.
From CleverHiker, Mazamas and the 2017 trip guide
12 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Loowit Trail
Counting on a small seasonal stream
The 2024 backpacker saw a small stream at the first Plains of Abraham camp and warned it could be gone by late summer. The 2017 trip guide also says streams outside the three year-round springs cannot be relied on in late summer.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024 and the 2017 trip guide
Trusting a fixed rope without testing it
CleverHiker says the Forest Service ropes in the steep gullies are often questionable and should always be tested before you put weight on them.
From CleverHiker
Camping on the exposed bench below Windy Pass
The 2024 group reached the sites just below Windy Pass in strong wind, judged them too exposed and walked on to Pumice Butte instead.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024
Gear questions for Loowit Trail
Do you need a permit for the Loowit Trail?
The forest charges nothing for trail use and sells no permit for it. Parking at Ape Canyon, Climber's Bivouac and Windy Ridge takes $5 per vehicle per day or a recreation pass.
Where can you camp on the Loowit Trail?
The forest allows dispersed camping on most of the trail. The 10-mile north stretch is the exception. Writers describe camps on both banks of the Toutle River, at Pumice Butte and on the Plains of Abraham.
From Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service), Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024 and CleverHiker
How much water should you carry on the Loowit Trail?
Trip writers range from at least 3 liters per person to 4 liters per day, and up to 6 on very hot days. The forest lists three year-round springs and warns that other creeks may dry out.
From Washington Trails Association: Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024, the 2017 trip guide, CleverHiker and Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service)
Do you need a bear canister on the Loowit Trail?
the 2017 trip guide and CleverHiker both say bears are not a concern and no food storage rule applies, though rodents are. A Mazamas leader still expects applicants to know how to hang a bear bag. Check the forest page before you go.
From the 2017 trip guide, CleverHiker, Mazamas and Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service)
Sources
- Loowit Trail #216 · Gifford Pinchot National Forest (USDA Forest Service) · Agency
- Loowit Trail trip report, July 26, 2024 · Washington Trails Association, PNW Gal · Trip report
- Loowit Trail trip report, August 25, 2018 · Washington Trails Association, benzbri · Trip report
- Loowit Trail, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (30 mile loop) · the 2017 trip guide · Trip report
- Loowit Trail backpack trip · Mazamas · Trip report
- Loowit Loop Trail: Mount St. Helens Backpacking Guide · CleverHiker, Dave Collins · Blog