Pretty hike that is not too difficult. June lake is is a nice place for a snack and rest before going ba ck. There was a lot of campers by the lake. 

I spent today circumambulating Mount St. Helens on the Loowit Trail and, Holy Cow, what an adventure!

I arrived at June Lake around 4am and napped for about an hour before shoving off around 5:15. I started with about 66oz of water (three 22oz handhelds) as I wasn't sure how far between stops or how fast I'd burn through my water. Heavy mist and fog kept me company up to June Lake and onto the Loowit. No navigational issues with this short trail. Nice, clear, and wide open.

I traveled clockwise and the trail was intermittent with easy forest trails and not so easy boulder/rock hopping where I needed to pause often to figure out where the trail was. The fog was heavy so I couldn't see more that 30-40 yards in front of me otherwise I suspect the trail markers (posts and carins) would have been easily seen.

The only snow on this route, if I remember correctly, was between the Worm Flow climbing route, north to the Sheep Canyon trail. I brought along yaks but managed just fine with my trail runners for all snow crossings. Longest one was maybe 20 yards.

1st good water source from June Lake was the south fork of the Toutle. This is about 12 miles from June Lake and, due to the fog and cooler temps, I had plenty left when I arrived. However, I made sure to fill back up to my 66ozs before moving on.

Still in the fog, a quick climb up out of the river valley led me to a nice open and fast section of trail. Here's where I made up some time lost back when I was boulder hopping.

Even without the broad sweeping views (those were yet to come) I was amazed at the terrain/ landscape! I'd never seen anything like it! When I got to the blast zone it looked like another planet! The trail becomes almost a free for all just moving from large rock pile to large rock pile. I was mindful not to step on what little vegetation there was in this route finding extravaganza.

This area provides another good spot for water, roughly 6 miles from the last fill up... Actually I think these several creeks are feeders to the branch of the north Toutle.

There was one more good water source I found a mile or two beyond, towards Windy Pass and below Loowit Falls. Be sure to fill up. I think I recall a little feeder stream just over Windy to the south but I'm not sure how long that will stick around. Next "available" water is Mudd River, aptly name for the large amounts of silt. It would definitely work in a pinch, if you don't mind chewing your water. The next clean source would be a feeder stream just above June Lake, roughly 10 miles from Loowit Falls.

AAAnywhoo, just past the blast zone the fog started to break and I started getting my 1st big views. When I hit Windy Pass the clouds had mostly vacated and left me with breathtaking views in all direction. The Plains of Abraham were awesome! I kept thinking, "This volcano blew up in my lifetime! This is CRAAAZY!!!"

Somewhere close to the Mudd River I spied a mountain goat resting on some rocks down in a lava chasm. Kind of an odd spot for a goat! Thus I named her "Chasm Goat - Queen of the Chasm" (has to be said in a baritone voice for full effect).

Puffy clouds to the south blocked any views of Adams as the trail slowing began to get vegetation back. Berry bushed, trees, and shrubs welcomed me back in. And the rock hopping starts again. Very interesting and quite understandable how this side of the volcano is completely different that the other side.

Large old-growth trees, moss, and a soft dirt forest trail announced my arrival back at the June Lake spur. A mile and 1/2 later I was back at the car, for a door-to-door trip of around 10 hours.

I had an amazing time and would gladly come back!

Good trail for a group of Cubscout and their parents.  We had lunch and wandered around for awhile.  Nice spot.  The bridge at the end needs a few new deck boards.

The trail was free of snow and in great condition! Lovely day for lunch at this little lake! I was especially happy to see my first avalanche Lillie’s blooming on the trail for this year. Plenty of purple trillium, a bit of early signs of bear grass and lots of future huckleberries.

I parked at the Marble Mountain Sno Park overflow parking lot, and walked on the road to the June Lake trailhead. (The road up to the Sno Park is completely clear, but the section after it is closed to vehicles and has patches of snow). The trail has quite a bit of snow on it, packed and slippery in some places, but is pretty easy to cross. Microspikes/snow shoes are not required. After crossing the bridge, the field that you need to cross to get to the lake is covered in snow (4"-6" in most places). I managed fine in high-top hiking boots without microspikes, but it was difficult walking.