Loowit Falls — Friday, Nov. 1, 2013

Ok, so prior to the hike is the road there.... road is clearly a equivocal term. It felt more like a slalom course which necessitates weaving from one lane into the other all while calculating the odds another vehicle performing the same maneuvers is not hurtling toward you around that hairpin turn with the precipice awaiting the outcome of the event. Good luck! The road is sunken in a majority of areas, buckled, and broken along the edge. I recommend a good 4 wheel drive vehicle and a slow pace, and perhaps a last will and testament completed prior to embarking. I was there on perhaps the last day the road was passable, with a large number of elk hunters at the overlooks peering down through binoculars for their elusive prey. I did get a chance to see their quarry, on the "safe" side of the mountain. I was the only one hiking along the path to Loowit Falls, and did not see another soul until well after 1 pm on my way back. This made the hike kind of spooky. The hike was fairly easy throughout, just stunning in its bleakness and views of the devastation and the slow return of life to this area. The views of St. Helen's, Rainier, Hood, and a mostly cloud covered Adams was almost heart breakingly beautiful. I cannot recommend this hike strongly enough. I am sad that it will probably be next spring before I can do it again. Even if I will have to again face a trip on that "road".