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MT. ST. HELENS
ROUND-THE-MOUNTAIN BACKPACK
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 | DAY ONE We pick you up in Portland about 6 AM and drive up to southeast side of Mt. St. Helens to the June Lake Trailhead (2,700’) off Forest Road 83. After loading-up we head up the June Lake Trail (No. 216B) to Loowit Trail 216 (3,400’), our route around the mountain.  Loowit is the
local Native American name for St. Helens. We head north through forest and
cross through the Muddy River lahar area to our campsite at Pumice Butte
(4,290’) for a total distance of about 7 miles.June Lake |
DAY TWO
From
our Pumice Butte Camp we continue on Loowit Trail 216 through the blast
zone.
Pumice Butte Camp
At 4.7 miles we will leave our packs and walk-up about ½ mile to the
Loowit Falls viewpoint (4,700’). Loowit Falls flows directly out of the
crater through the Breach. We have a great view of Spirit Lake, the Pumice
Plain and the Johnson Ridge Observatory. We return to the Loowit Trail and
continue through the blast zone for 7.3 miles. We pass out of the Restricted
Zone to our campsite (3,300’) at the South Fork Toutle River on the west side of
the mountain. Total distance for the day is about 13 miles.
| DAY THREE We climb out of the Toutle River drainage through old growth forest and continue south on Loowit Trail 216. For a period of time we will have blowdown to our left and standing forest to our right. We continue on along the tree line to the intersection with Trail 238A (4,800’). We descend 800' to our last campsite at Butte Camp. Total distance for the day is about 8 miles. |
| DAY FOUR On our final day we head east with views of the St. Helens summit rim to our left and the Cascade Peaks to our right. At 2.5 miles we cross the Monitor Ridge climbing trail (4,700’) and soon begin a gradual descent to the June Lake Trail (No. 216B). Here we turn right to leave the Loowit Trail and return to June Lake trailhead, our vehicle, and the end of an incredible trip. Total distance for the day is about 9 miles. |
Sturdy hiking boots with lug soles; trail gaiters; 2 Pair Wool or polypropylene socks with liner socks (help prevent blisters!); Thermal underwear (wool, polypropylene, or equivalent); Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt; Short-sleeve shirt; Shorts; Warm pants (Not jeans!); Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Parka; Wind pants; Mittens or gloves; Sun hat; Balaclava or stocking cap; headband; and scarf/neck gaiter. Clean clothes to change into at the car are nice
Whistle; Map of area: (I have the Geo-Graphics Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, 1998; the Green Trails map, Mt. St. Helens NW, WA - No. 364s 2002 actually has the correct trails); Compass; Headlamp/Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb or another flashlight); Extra food and Clothing (wool socks, more warm things); Sunscreen and lip protection; Pocket knife; Lighter or matches in waterproof container and firestarter; First aid kit (Absolutely no drugs or medicines that will make you drowsy or dizzy.)
Liquids (at least three+ qts.); Handkerchief; Toilet paper; Small insulation pad for sitting on (attach it to your pack) or Crazy Creek style camp chair; Sunglasses/goggles; Insect Repellent, Camera and film or flash card, trekking poles. Camp shoes and a book will be appreciated.
Sleeping bag and Pad (A backpacking pillow is nice)
Eating utensils - cup, bowl, and spoon. My recommendations are a plastic quart-sized measuring cup with a handle, an insulated 12 oz. plastic cup (available from REI), and a plastic spoon.
You will need a backpack large enough (5,000 cubic inches) to carry your personal gear plus your share of group gear. Porter Support is available!
OPA will provide: permits, guide, transportation from Portland to trailhead and return, great food (we cook!), trekking poles, tent(s) with ground cloth; stove, fuel and pots, and water filter.
Oregon Peak Adventures can make arrangements for you to rent any needed equipment. Please sign-up using our secure form, call (503) 297-5100 or (877) 965-5100, or e-mail if you have any questions
For Equipment Recommendations click here.
