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Trail #216E Windy
ALERT: Spirit Lake Tunnel Outlet Construction has begun on May 15 and will continue through October 31. Certain trails are closed Monday through Friday during this time, but will be open on weekends and all federal holidays for hikers to enjoy the area. Part of the Windy Ridge parking area will also be closed off as an equipment staging area. Click here for more information about the trail closures and the Spirit Lake Tunnel Outlet Construction. It is recommended that hikers wanting to hike the Loowit Trail in any length to access the Loowit via either the Ptarmagin Trail at Climbers Bivouac or June Lake Trailhead on Forest Road 83 for uninterrupted access. Click here for the current trail conditions for the Loowit Loop.
The one mile Windy Trail provides a connection from Truman Trail #207 to Loowit Trail #216. It is the most direct access for hikers from Windy Ridge Viewpoint on Forest Road 99 to the Loowit Trail and Loowit Falls Viewpoint Trail #216F.
The Windy Trail passes the location of the Timberline Campground and Viewpoint that were destroyed in the 1980 eruption. If you look closely you can still see traces of asphalt from the road and parking lot.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 06/21/2024: Access to Windy Ridge and Windy Trail via Forest Road 99 is only reachable from Forest Road 25 from the north. Currently, snow is blocking access to Forest Road 99 from the FR 25 and FR 99 junction. Snow melt usually occurrs sometime in June with extended meltouts through July. Snow melt out will be very dependent on warmer weather conditions. A section of Forest Road 25 closed on 5/28/24 between milepost 13.7 and milepost 15. For more information, see order: Gifford Pinchot National Forest - News & Events (usda.gov). You may also call the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument at 360-449-7800. |
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| Fees: | $5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass required at Ape Canyon Trailhead or Windy Ridge Viewpoint. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites. |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Restrictions: |
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| Closest Towns: | Cougar, WA |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: |
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General Information
Directions:From Cougar, WA take Lewis River Road east for 2.8 miles. The road then changes to Forest Road 90. Continue on Forest Road 90 for 16 miles and stay to the left on Forest Road 25, pass the Pine Creek Information Center. Drive Forest Road 25 for 25 miles to the junction of Forest Road 99. Turn left onto Forest Road 99 towards Windy Ridge. Drive approximately 16.4 miles to Windy Ridge Interpretive Site.
Truman Trail takes off from the far end of the parking lot. Hike approximately 2 miles to the Windy Trail 216E, which connects the Truman Trail #207 and Loowit Trail #216.