Toutle Trail - Blue Lake to Loowit Trail, Toutle Trail — Saturday, Jul. 6, 2024

Arrived at Blue Lake TH about 9:00am. Already warm, well on it's way to a 94 degree day. (measured at Cougar, WA). Trail starts out pretty level, with minor ups and downs. At 2.8 miles or so, I took a small fairly unused, unmarked trail to the left which goes to a spectacular view of the falls. (not sure which river). This side trip is only about a fourth mile and worth the walk. For the next mile or so the trail continues to lose elevation to 3150 feet, but then begins in earnest to a full on steep grade for 2 miles gaining about 1600 feet to 4725 feet.  Somewhere about this point you are on the Loowit Trail #216 for a while till you depart at the Sheep Canyon trail. Some great views of the mountain and immense canyons. Then the trail begins a slow descent for the next mile losing about 200 feet which is quite welcome after a steep climb. I took the Sheep Canyon Trail to the right at that point. (which ultimately rejoins the Blue Lake trail back to the TH). From that sign the trail loses about 900 feet in a mile and a half, crosses a small, partially broken bridge near a camping area, and shortly rejoins the Blue Lake Trail. It's a nice downgrade walk of about 2.8 miles back to the car. This trail is rigorous with rewarding views. Bugs were hardly a factor except near streams and low lying watery areas. Very few people on the trail.