Trail #237 Blue Lake

Area Status: Open

This trail winds through a lodgepole pine forest, crosses an intermittently active mudflow, turns west through a noble fir forest and ends at Toutle Trail #238, 0.7 mile south of Sheep Canyon Trail #240.

The trail leaves Toutle Trail 238 at Forest Road 8100-600. It crosses Forest Road 81 before climbing gently through a lodgepole pine forest and crosses Toutle Trail 238 again in 2.8 miles. The trail continues to climb and then crosses an intermittently active mudflow. It then follows the west side of the mudflow before turning west through a noble fir forest to where the trail ends at Toutle Trail 238 at 0.7 mile south of Sheep Canyon Trail 240. To extend your ride or hike, travel south on Toutle Trail 238, 7.9 miles back to your starting point.

Special Conditions: The upper end of this trail has been buried several times by small mudflows since 1980.

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	03/19/2024: The Blue Lake Trailhead is open.
Operational Hours:	Forest Road 81 normally melts out and opens toward the end of May. Closes with snow, or on Nov. 30.
Fees:	No fee or pass required. See Mount St. Helens Map for fee and payment sites.
Usage:	Light
Best Season:	Summer-Fall
Busiest Season:	Summer
Restrictions:	Horses are prohibited on: Toutle Trail #238 north of the Sheep Canyon Trail #240 intersection Sheep Canyon Trail #240 east of the Toutle Trail #238 Butte Camp Trail #238A
Closest Towns:	Cougar, WA
Operated By:	Forest Service
Information Center:	Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative Headquarters (360) 449-7800 Gifford Pinchot National Forest Offices/Visitor Centers

General Information

Directions:

From Woodland, WA take state Route 503 east for approximately 28 miles to Forest Road 81. Take a left on Forest Road 81 towards Kalama Horse Camp Recreation Area. Follow Forest Road 81 north for approximately 12 miles to Forest Road 8123. Continue on Forest Road 8123 until it ends at Blue Lake trailhead.

Activities

Mountain Biking

See activity description under Backpacking.

Day Hiking

See activity description under Backpacking.

Backpacking

The trail leaves Toutle Trail 238 at Forest Road 8100-600. It crosses Forest Road 81 before climbing gently through a lodgepole pine forest and crosses Toutle Trail 238 again in 2.8 miles. The trail continues to climb and then crosses an intermittently active mudflow. It then follows the west side of the mudflow before turning west through a noble fir forest to where the trail ends at Toutle Trail 238, 0.7 mile south of Sheep Canyon Trail 240. To extend your ride or hike, travel south on Toutle Trail 238, 7.9 miles back to your starting point. Special Conditions: The upper end of this trail has been buried several times by small mudflows since 1980.