Mt St. Helen's northern loop: Goat Creek (#205) - Loowit Trail (#216) - Goat Mountain (#217) - Goat Creek trail. 2 days without a single glimpse of Mt St Helen's.Half mile into the trail is the beautiful Cathedral Falls (also referred to as Leona Falls). You go behind the waterfalls and get sprayed upon. Water is significantly less than what's in the link. The trail follows Goat Creek, many water crossing, at the junction ~2.5 miles, keep left for #216, following a side creek. Trail goes through many washouts, dead trees, and large sections of forest devoid of undergrowth (strange). Only one segment of ridge that is pretty, with the view of (maybe) Tumwater Mountain, and patches of flowers. At ~9 miles, camp at Deadmans Lake. Lots of mosquitoes. As night falls, mist forms above the lake, eventually so thick that I cannot see the other side. Sitting next to a camp fire, listening to the frogs, has an unmeasurable appeal.
Still raining at 10am. The plan to hike up Goat Mountain is abandoned. This return half of the loop is very enjoyable. Trail was hard to find at time, as the snow remained deep in the valley. Met 2 horses at Vanson Lake. The trail now follows Goat Creek. Old growth forest, cascading falls. Also shorter: 6 miles instead of 9.Direction: I5 exit 68, east on Hwy 12. Just before milepost 103, turn south on Kosmos Rd, immediately turn left on Champion Head Rd for ~4 miles across a big bridge where people are fishing, keep left at a fork. Now pretty bad gravel until the end. The drive itself is quite scenic.
