Lori and I got out for an easy but interesting hike on Mt. St. Helen. We followed the Butte Camp trail up the Loowitt trail. We hiked a little ways down the Loowitt trail before stopping for lunch and then returning the same route. This was a new trail and area for me to explore and a chance for Lori to get on the Mountain and see her climb route before her Mt. St. Helens climb in August. The first part of the day we were in a thick wet fog and could not see further then 50 ft. We hung out for a little longer lunch break then normal and it gave just enough time for fog to burn off. We finish the day with a mostly clear sunny sky and good views. We figured we did about 10 miles and 1500 ft. gain.
We started the hike in heavy fog and could not see more the 50 ft. We were afraid it would be that way all day.
Trail winding through the trees and fog.
Stream and trail through Butte Camp. We did a little exploring in the area and found many nice camp sites.
In hiking up the butte we got to a view spot. We knew this must be a great view spot on a clear day but we could see nothing.
When we got to the intersection with Loowitt trail we were still fogged in. This was our none view of the mountain and Monitor Ridge. At this point we thought me might be in the fog all day.
We scrambled down and back up the sides of this dry creek. This time of year this should be flowing with snow melt.
Lori finishes her first scramble dry creek crossing and it happy to have not broken any thing in doing so. New with will try one with water in the creek.
From our lunch spot the sky starts to clear. I had Lori do a little scramble practice up the rocks here and we got a better view.
Practicing my Capt. Courageous pose.
The fog and low clouds started to clear and we could finally see something other then the trail
A clearer view of the Butte.
The fog finally clears an we were able to see the Mountain. Looks very dry up there for May.
As we were heading back we were able to see the line where the fog still hung on.
I had two different siting of marmots on the this hike. Neither let us get at all close but this one stuck around long enough to get a photo from a distance of him.
We saw plenty of Bear Grass in early bloom.
There were a number of flowers blooming along the trail. Conditions were very dry and much had browned out already.
Well I have heard of Fairy Barf so we figure this must be Troll puke. We actually had no idea what this was. (Found out later it is a form of slime mold)
This section of the trail felt exposed. Coming up in the fog we could not see how far down it went but going back we could. For Lori she has only had a little exposure to exposure so this was a good section for her to get more comfortable with it.
Lori crossing the section that felt a little exposed. She kept her head down walked carefully.
Heading back a view of the Mt. St. Helens through the tree tops.
Now hiking the last part of the trail through bear grass in the sun.
By the end of the day the fog had cleared and we could see where we had been.