Current Conditions on St. Helens

On this page I'll post current conditions for the run. Please e-mail me your info if you do the run and have information to add that other runners may find useful. E-mail to with your updates.

I ran the Loowit Trail clockwise starting at June Lake this past Saturday, 18SEP10. Despite forecasts of rain, there were clear skies and great views of the mountain when I started at 7 am. It had been quite rainy the week prior, and was my first time on the trail.

The trail was very well marked in MOSTLY all spots. All of the sections where the floods has washed out the trail, flags or cairns were in great quantity to lead you in the correct direction. The one big detour it seems from the previous route was in Sheep Canyon I believe. The old trail was blocked off with some sticks, and the new path led off to the left. Had to run probably almost a half mile downhill to find a suitable crossing spot, which was thankfully marked. Every single one of the gullies/ravines/canyons have a suitable crossing. Only once or twice were hands needed to climb out of them. Just make sure to keep your eyes open and alert for signs.

The two areas where I had some route finding difficulty was where the trail crossed the winter climbing route. I was not sure where to go once it intersected, and did not see many markers. After some cross country off trail terrain association, I hooked back up the trail in the forest. I would not recommend this option. There was much bushwhacking. The second spot I ran into trouble was on the east side at the Ape Canyon Trail intersection. Turns out the trail actually takes a right hand turn, and the Ape Canyon Trail continues on the straight path. I was in such a good groove I just blew past the broken sign laying on the ground and didn't notice my mistake until I was 3/4 mile into a forest in the wrong direction.

I only needed to refill water at one stop on the north side at a random small clear stream. Due to the high rain in previous weeks there were many small streams flowing. Wish I would have waited until I had gotten to the natural spring at the rock, that water was quite tasty and cold.

I would suggest running the route clockwise. I map reconned both directions, and it seemed CW split up a lot of the climbing so you didn't ever have a massive climb at once. If you are starting at June Lake, you have to finish with the rocky lava fields for either direction. But there is more of a trail in the ESE boulder field than the south side to finish on.

Richard Kresser

A group of us went around the Loowit yesterday. This was by far the worst conditions I have seen this route in. Several of the washes that haven't been problematic in the past have been scoured out - the most notable is on the ESE side (I believe it's the Big Muddy). It probably would have been easier to follow the route there if we hadn't been in the clouds and mist most of the day. The Toutle crossing was no more challenging than it has been in the past few years - as long as you know where you're supposed to be heading, you'll find the trail. But the route has been re-marked relatively well in the areas that have washed out, and we added a few more cairns to mark the route. I think it will continue to get easier as more people get up there. The route was completely snow free, and outside the standard measure of caution you give on your site about bringing a map and this not recommending this for people without ultra running experience, the route is passable (with a measure of caution for those who don't mind a little scrambling and sand/gravel in their shoes).

Torrey Lindbo
President, Team Red Lizard

Ran it this weekend in a group of ten, most of which are guys from the Red Lizards. I think one other may be on this email list and will probably send you a report as well.

Short story: Trail is 100% passable, several washouts, all manageable with minimal route finding. Took our five faster guys about 10.5 hours, the other five closer to 11.5. Stopped a bunch to regroup/relax/chat, fill bottles, etc., and finally split into two groups of five late in the day. Lots of clouds, no views, and some very cold rain to end the day! Oregon July....

Link with photos of first 2/3s (cameraman and camera both ran out of gas...): http://redlizards.smugmug.com/gallery/8892540_immzB

Long story: We went counter clockwise from the June Lake lot (something like 1.5 miles up the the main loop from there. Only one bad washout crossing from June Lake to Ape Canyon trail, tricky scramble up. This section was about half-run half-hike due to general rockiness of the trail.

Pretty uneventful section through Plains of Abe, Windy Pass, to Lowwit Falls. We stopped near Lowwit at a natural spring for a water fill up. Rocky but runnable.

The Toutle was our second water fill spot, about 2/3rds of the way around. Long descent in over lots of loose pumice, very fun. Climb out was a drag, big climb, with lots of vegetation in our way.

Lots of small washouts and at least one well marked big detour over the next few miles. Many had cairns and/or ribbons, and we built a few cairns where needed. Big volcanic boulder fields to close out the final 1/3, slow going, especially for less technically apt runners.

Ruben Galbraith

NOTE: This page contains running information for experienced ultra runners. Experience ultra runners are people who have already completed 50K, 50Mile or longer ultramarathons. The advice on this page is not directed towards hikers or typical 10k recreational runners. No guarantee is made about the accuracy of maps or information on this page. This page is only intended as a starting point for your own research on places to run. Always check route information yourself and be prepared.