Length
Elevation Gain
Highest Point
This middle section of the Toutle Trail starts at Forest Road 81 on the north side of Red Rock Pass. Begin heading north, traversing a black basalt rock field laid down 1900 years ago when a lava event flooded the south side of Mount St. Helens, creating Ape Cave and spreading farther down to the Lewis River.
After crossing the well-constructed lava field trail you enter another old-growth fir forest. The elevation gain is gradual and hiking is easy to moderate. More trails cross or originate off this section: Butte Camp Trail (#238A), and Kalama Ski Trail (#231).
At mile 3 you'll arrive at a 30-feet deep ravine and a dry lahar debris gulch. This ash, pumice and rock-filled chasm crossing is not marked since it changes each spring. Look for footprints if uncertain. Descend into the ravine, walk upstream on the dry pumice for about 150 yards, and find a makeshift trail leading up the west side.
Once on top of the ravine edge, head northwest along the trail. Pass through the junction with the Blue Lake Horse Trail then go 0.2 mile more to another junction. This is a good turnaround point or you can turn left (south) here and follow this spur trail for another 0.2 mile to the Blue Lake Trailhead if you've arranged a car shuttle.
You can also continue hiking on the Toutle Trail from Blue Lake to the Loowit Trail.
Trailhead
