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Loowit Trail,
Mt. St. Helens |
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4th of July and with the day off, after a lengthy collaboration, Devin and I decided to embark on a rather crazy mission of mountain biking around Mt. St. Helen's Loowit Trail # 216. I heard this could be done from books, friends, as well as the internet. After the attempt, I am now wondering what book publishing company would do such a thing, what friends could possibly assure me such a thing is possible, and the internet, well that goes without saying.
We headed out in earnest form the June Lake trailhead to see all the sites that only a recently active volcano could provide. I was rather happy to set out on the unknown with my new Gary Fisher.
After topping out, we veered right on the Loowit trail towards the Lava Canyon junction. After a mile into the ride along #216, there was quite a lot of blow down. Although he plan was to ride, we ultimately did more walking and carrying our bikes than riding.
After climbing over the 20th or so downed tree, we decided that we were not having much fun. We turned around, heading back to the truck to try our luck on the north side of the mountain. We drove around highway 83 in an attempt for the Loowit a little further up. As this was my first time around the historically active monster, we stopped frequently to gawk at the devastation.
Geologists say that Spirit Lake's bottom is 150 feet higher than the old surface was before the 1980 eruption. Quite impressive to say the least.
With snow still left on the surrounding peaks, there was a lot to look at. I just wished we could have viewed it from the trail's perspective.
At the Windy Ridge Viewpoint, we decided to take the Truman trail down to the Loowit and bike along the Plains of Abraham. After setting out and having quite a swift ride over the pumice fields that lay along the dusty access trail, we came upon the Loowit only to find that no bikes were permitted. We were truly at a loss for words as all we could do is return up the trail we came down.
At the very least, the weather was perfect for this adventure.
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