Loowit Falls, Windy Ridge and Plains of Abraham, Plains of Abraham - Windy Pass Loop & Windy Trail — Sunday, Jul. 20, 2014

Cloudy - perfect weather to hike to the blast zone (no shade). We walked on Windy Ridge Trail (#207, slightly down slope, lined with flowers) first. We took #216E east towards Loowit Falls. About 1 mile of low dwarf lupine covering the otherwise bleak dark plain, with the blue Spirit Lake floating in and out of clouds. At the next junction, we took #216 (Loowit Trail), which says 1.1/4 miles to Loowit Falls (it's more like 1.5 miles). We stopped at a small muddy waterfall first. It's mostly flat until here, some up and downs to cross creek or gully. The last junction is left on to #216F (3/4 miles) UP to Loowit Falls. We ate our lunch listening to the falls, but couldn't see it. Finally the cloud faded a bit, so we saw it. It's BEAUTIFUL. On the way back, at the junction of 216E (the 1.1/4 mark), we took #216 (right) up and over a saddle. The down slope was mostly very loose rocks. If you are afraid of heights, this is not for you. It drops down to Plain of Abraham, up to a T-junction, with a lot of bikers. We turned left (north) at #216D. Soon we were matching upwards, and there, along the ridge, is the most abundant flower show I could possibly hoped for. It's LOVELY, looking at both sides into as far as the clouds allowed. I didn't like the stairs on the northern slope. Returned on the same gravel road to car, happy and content. Total about 11.5 miles, 2200' accumulated elevation gain.