Counter-clockwise solo run starting at Windy Ridge. If you've never done this trail, keep in mind that it includes rough trail at times, with boulder fields and ascents and descents with a rope (the rope is fixed there) and much of the trail is out in the open and exposed to the sun.
The drive: do NOT simply use the "open map in new window" button and follow Google Map's directions. They will lead you to private forest roads, which are gated off. I had to figure out a detour at 10:30pm, which was no fun. Just use the driving directions from WTA.
I slept in my car and started at around 4:45am hoping to beat the heat of the day. Watching the sun rise with Rainier in the background made it worth it for sure. Other than 3 hikers who started when I did, the first twelve miles I saw no people- only a herd of elk and a bunch of mountain goats.
The ropes in place heading down the canyon to the Toutle might be useful but things are pretty straightforward. After crossing the Toutle, I started passing more people- lots of trail runners (I think there was a 50k that was scheduled for today and then cancelled) and some backpackers. It seems most folks started on the south side (June Lake, Marble Mountain, or Climbers' Bivy) and went clockwise.
The boulder fields on the south side of the mountain are frequent and, while they'll slow you down, are a fun diversion. Posts mark the way when the trail isn't visible.
Water access is continuing to dry up for the year. A few of the sources from the report a few days ago are gone. There are a few streams on the north side of the mountain, but other than that the only ones are the Toutle (west side), Chocolate Falls (south side) and a creek near the June Lake trail (south side), and a river around the 4 o'clock position. I recorded waypoints for all the water sources, which I'll attach.
All in all, a great day out. The Loowit is wonderful because it includes such variation in the environment- boulder fields, lush vegetation, the sun-baked dirt of the Plains of Abraham, wildflowers, and more. The landscapes are like nothing else. Enjoy!
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