Loowit Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Loowit Falls is one of two major waterfalls that occurs along the so-called "Sasquatch Steps" on the north flank of Mount St. Helens. When the mountain erupted in 1980, it basically created a catchment basin in the resulting crater. Beginning in the winter of 1980-1981 the Crater Glacier began to form and is currently the largest glacier on Mount St. Helens, as well as the youngest and fastest growing glacier in the United States. Once the glacier began growing, it also began melting and its meltwater has channeled largely into what is now Loowit Creek. As Loowit Creek intersects the blasted out north slope of the mountain it carved out the rugged Loowit Canyon, with Loowit Falls found at its head.

Loowit Canyon occured because Loowit Creek washed away and eroded material that was either pulverized by the 1980 eruption or was unstable enough due to the erution that as the creek cut down it caused massive landslides. Loowit Canyon formed in a matter of about 15 years and over that time Loowit Falls has constantly evolved in appearance. When we surveyed the falls in 2011 it stood 186 feet tall. Imagery available in Google Earth shows the brink of Loowit Falls has retreated upstream by 40 feet since 1994. Some time between 2006 and 2009 a smaller but significant lower tier of the falls was buried almost entirely by a landslide and over the years there has been an increase in rockfall debris collecting at the base of Loowit Falls. What this all means is Loowit Canyon is incredibly unstable and the height and appearance of the falls will most likely continue to evolve in the coming decades.

Geologically Loowit Falls may only exist for a fraction of time so minute it barely registers when looking at the big picture. The falls haven't existed for more than 30 years and with the rapid advance of the Crater Glacier there is a possibility that the stream may either be diverted or the glacier may even cover the falls and spill into Loowit Canyon at some point (the toe of the glacier is less than a mile upstream now).

HISTORY AND NAMES

Loowit Falls is the Official name of this waterfall

Loowit is the Native American name for Mount St. Helens. The title currently graces the falls, canyon and its creek, as well as another waterfall in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge.

Our thoughts

In viewing the Loowit Falls from the end of the trail, you are essentially standing inside an active volcano - prior to 1980 Loowit Falls would have been several thousand feet underground. The falls are pretty impressive alone, but the area also offers some of the most fascinating looks at rapidly changing geologic processes that can be witnessed on earth. In fact, the rapid formation of Loowit Canyon is apparently so miraculous that it seems to be a favorite case study for proponents of Creationism using it as evidence that Arizona's Grand Canyon could have been formed in 5 days - nevermind the fact that the processes of erosion in the two cases are entirely and utterly different.

Location and directions

From the town of Randle, follow FSR #25 south towards Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (Windy Ridge) for 19 miles and turn right onto FSR #99, signed for Mount St. Helens and Windy Ridge. Follow Road 99 to its end at Windy Ridge and begin hiking along the Truman Trail at the south end of the parking lot, following signs pointing to Loowit Falls at all trail junctions. For the first two miles it follows the old road. At the first junction stay right, then at the second junction at the end of the old road (where there may be a few cars parked) stay left. At the third junction the Loowit Trail will be intersected, 2 3/4 miles from the parking lot. Head right and then bear left at the fourth junction which marks the Loowit Falls Spur Trail. The Loowit Falls Trail climbs about half of a mile from the Loowit Trail, but the falls can be seen from the beginning of the spur. The total distance from the parking lot is about 4 miles. Be sure to bring extra water on this hike as there are very limited sources of clean water (be sure to filter all water too).

View this location in Google Earth

Loowit Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

Additional Nearby Waterfalls

Name of Waterfall	Distance
Step Falls	0.28 mi / 0.45 km
Lower Step Falls	0.34 mi / 0.55 km
Middle Loowit Falls	0.37 mi / 0.6 km
Lower Loowit Falls	0.76 mi / 1.21 km
Toutle Glacier Falls	1.75 mi / 2.79 km
Talus Glacier Falls	1.93 mi / 3.09 km
Falls Of Abraham	2.15 mi / 3.44 km
Ape Canyon Falls	2.86 mi / 4.58 km
East Dome Falls	2.91 mi / 4.66 km
Unnamed Waterfall	3.3 mi / 5.27 km

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Photography tips

Loowit Falls is in a narrow canyon with a crooked north-northeast facing and zero shade from above. Not only is there a limited window in which the falls will see direct, even sunlight but the often windy conditions around Mount St. Helens usually ensure that lots of dust is being kicked up in Loowit Canyon, further casting a haze over the falls. It is almost imperative to photograph this waterfall either between 9am and noon, or on a rainy day (to minimize the dust) with a high cloud deck. The falls are fairly distant from the viewpoint, so a moderate zoom is needed for a well framed shot.

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Loowit Falls Skamania County, Washington, United States