We decided to hike up to Loowit Viewpoint at Mt St Helens on this Winter Solstice Day, starting at the Hummocks Trail and continuing on Boundary Trail 1, as the road to Johnston Ridge is closed at the turn off for the Hummocks Trail for the season.
We ended up taking a short cut at the end, bypassing the last section that crosses the steep ridge. We also stopped on the ridge above the Loowit Viewpoint, having a hike of at least 7 miles roundtrip with 1,500 ft of gain.
We were the first hikers on the trail since the last snowfall. The new snow was 6 - 12" deep, but we did not need snowshoes today.
Gorgeous Winter Solstice
We took the 0.9 mile section of the Hummocks Trail (the east side of the loop). We watched the sun rise over Mt St Helens
most of the ponds in the Hummocks area had ice on them.
Larger ponds, were ice free
We left the Hummocks Trail where Boundary Trail 1 begins.
With the sun glaring over Mt St Helens, I was able to focus on the other features in the area. A beautiful winter landscape,
a winter wonderland.
After 1/2 mile or so along the Boundary Trail, the trail begins to climb.
The snow coverage was light enough, that for "most" of the way, we could see where the trail was under the son.
We used our trail apps to double check our location where the snow was deeper.
There were lots of fresh elk tracks in the snow.
Looking down towards the Toutle River Valley
As the sun rose, we had better views of the crater on Mt St Helens
Up the ridge we saw 3 elk.
Instead of following where the trail was under the snow along the steep side of the ridge, we decided to follow some elk tracks going up over the ridge. Pano from near the crest of the hill to the west of the Loowit Viewpoint: Coldwater Peak left of center and Mt St Helens to the right.
Wide angle view from the top of this hill: Coldwater Peak, closed road to Johnston Observatory, Mt Adams (with lenticular cloud above), Mt St Helens. [The Loowit Viewpoint is out of this photo, would be on the left and down the hillside a short ways]
Interesting patterns in the snow from the wind and freezing temperatures.
As we returned down the Boundary Trail, we had fabulous views of Mt St Helens as the sun moved further to the west.
At the same time, darker clouds were coming in from the coast.
Yellow glow as the sun begins it's descent on this Winter Solstice Day.
View of Coldwater Lake below us
We took our time on the way down, as the lighting was wonderful on the mountain.
Pano showing the blue sky over Mt St Helens and darkening clouds over the ridge and Toutle River Valley to the south and west
fun watching the sun go down as we continue our hike down.
So many beautiful winter scenes along this trail,
loving the changing light,
a perfect winter day!
Back on the Hummocks Trail, the setting sun lights up the ice patterns on a pond.
Our last view of Mt St Helens today.
Larger ponds, were ice free
There were lots of fresh elk tracks in the snow.
Interesting patterns in the snow from the wind and freezing temperatures.
Back on the Hummocks Trail, the setting sun lights up the ice patterns on a pond.
Our last view of Mt St Helens today.
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