diff --git a/.github/workflows/main.yml b/.github/workflows/main.yml
index fa8dc29e..545411fa 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main.yml
@@ -184,7 +184,6 @@ jobs:
                   cluster:
                     # H100 clusters
                     - ai2/jupiter-cirrascale-2
-                    - ai2/pluto-cirrascale
                     - ai2/augusta-google-1
                     # A100 clusters
                     - ai2/saturn-cirrascale
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 8276edc6..c85f4245 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 ### Changed
 
 - Changed storage of shared shard state in sharded checkpoints from smallest shard to lowest rank (normally 0).
+- Changed how the trainer handles loading a checkpoint when `load_path` is provided. Now `load_path` is only used if no checkpoint is found in the `save_folder`.
 
 ### Fixed
 
diff --git a/src/olmo_core/train/callbacks/checkpointer.py b/src/olmo_core/train/callbacks/checkpointer.py
index b6e6fbd1..73273a36 100644
--- a/src/olmo_core/train/callbacks/checkpointer.py
+++ b/src/olmo_core/train/callbacks/checkpointer.py
@@ -216,7 +216,10 @@ def pre_train(self):
                 path for _, path in sorted(ephemeral_checkpoints, key=lambda x: x[0])
             ]
             for path in self._ephemeral_checkpoints:
-                log.info(f"Collected existing ephemeral checkpoint at '{path}'")
+                log.info(
+                    f"Found existing ephemeral checkpoint at '{path}' which will "
+                    "be removed when the next checkpoint is saved"
+                )
 
     def post_train_batch(self):
         self._await_last_checkpoint(blocking=False)
diff --git a/src/olmo_core/train/common.py b/src/olmo_core/train/common.py
index b988899f..5f01c6e3 100644
--- a/src/olmo_core/train/common.py
+++ b/src/olmo_core/train/common.py
@@ -75,17 +75,19 @@ class LoadStrategy(StrEnum):
 
     if_available = "if_available"
     """
-    Only load from the load path if a checkpoint exists there.
+    The trainer will attempt to load a checkpoint from the save folder or load path (in that order)
+    but will train from scratch if no checkoint is found.
     """
 
     always = "always"
     """
-    Always try loading from the load path.
+    The trainer will attempt to load a checkpoint from the save folder or load path (in that order)
+    and raise an error if no checkpoint is found.
     """
 
     never = "never"
     """
-    Never load from the load path.
+    The trainer will never load a checkpoint even if one exists in the save folder or load path.
     """
 
 
diff --git a/src/olmo_core/train/trainer.py b/src/olmo_core/train/trainer.py
index 953dc4d7..0c8d17aa 100644
--- a/src/olmo_core/train/trainer.py
+++ b/src/olmo_core/train/trainer.py
@@ -173,8 +173,10 @@ class Trainer:
 
     load_path: Optional[PathOrStr] = None
     """
-    Where to load a checkpoint from prior to training.
-    Defaults to ``save_folder``.
+    An alternative location to load a checkpoint from if no checkpoint is found in the current :data:`save_folder`.
+
+    This can be set to a checkpoint path or the path to a folder of checkpoints such as the :data:`save_folder`
+    from a different run.
     """
 
     load_strategy: LoadStrategy = LoadStrategy.if_available
@@ -538,7 +540,7 @@ def check_if_canceled(self):
 
     def fit(self):
         """
-        Fit the model, potentially loading a checkpoint before hand depending on the
+        Fit the model, potentially loading a checkpoint first depending on the
         :data:`load_strategy`.
         """
         self._canceled = False
@@ -546,12 +548,30 @@ def fit(self):
         self._canceling_rank = None
 
         # Maybe load a checkpoint.
-        if not self.checkpoint_loaded:
-            load_path = self.load_path if self.load_path is not None else self.save_folder
-            if self.load_strategy == LoadStrategy.always:
-                self.load_checkpoint(load_path)
-            elif self.load_strategy == LoadStrategy.if_available:
-                self.maybe_load_checkpoint(load_path)
+        if not self.checkpoint_loaded and self.load_strategy != LoadStrategy.never:
+            # Try loading from the save folder first.
+            self.maybe_load_checkpoint(self.save_folder)
+
+            # Then fallback to the load path, if provided.
+            if self.load_path is not None:
+                if not self.checkpoint_loaded:
+                    self.maybe_load_checkpoint(self.load_path)
+                else:
+                    log.warning(
+                        f"Ignoring load path ('{self.load_path}') since checkpoint was found in save folder"
+                    )
+
+            if not self.checkpoint_loaded:
+                if self.load_strategy == LoadStrategy.always:
+                    raise FileNotFoundError(
+                        f"No checkpoint found in save folder ('{self.save_folder}') or "
+                        f"load path ('{self.load_path}')"
+                    )
+                else:
+                    log.warning(
+                        f"No checkpoint found in save folder ('{self.save_folder}') or "
+                        f"load path ('{self.load_path}'), will train from scratch..."
+                    )
 
         log.info(f"Training for {self.max_steps:,d} steps")
 
@@ -709,9 +729,10 @@ def maybe_load_checkpoint(
                 load_optimizer_state=load_optimizer_state,
                 load_trainer_state=load_trainer_state,
             )
+            assert self.checkpoint_loaded
+            return True
         else:
-            log.warning(f"No checkpoint found in '{dir}', will train from scratch...")
-        return should_load
+            return False
 
     def save_checkpoint(self) -> PathOrStr:
         """