Ape Canyon Trail -- Sept 4, 2011

Beautiful day hike at Mount St. Helens on the Labor Day weekend. Hiked up to the Loowit Trail along a old growth covered ridge via the Ape Canyon Trail. Was a long day and made it to the Plains of Abraham. 1300' elevation gain, 10.6 roundtrip to Loowit Trail junction and then another mile or so to the south end of the Plains of Abraham.

Views along the way on the Ape Canyon Trail

Nice old growth forest along the ridge

Nearing the Loowit Trail junction, bit of a traverse.

We made it - Loowit Trail. Loowit circumnavigates Mt St. Helens.
I did the circumnavigation 10 or so years ago.

Meadow on the edge of the Plains of Abraham

Plains of Abraham, looking north

Plains of Abraham, looking east. I camped in this area on my circumnavigation

Looking back towards the ridge we hiked up.

Phenomenal Indian Paintbrush - we timed our visit so well.