Gifford Pinchot National Forest Mt Margaret via Norway Pass Hike Hike 39
Length: 11.4 Miles round trip Elevation Change: 2400' Cumulative Elevation gain Season: Mid-Summer thru Mid-Fall Difficulty: Difficult Permit: NW Forest Pass Required
Volcano Alert
Call this number to see if this trail is closed: 360-449-7800 Features:
Here is a long hike with more beauty than
the human eye can absorb. The hike is
listed as difficult due to the elevation
gain and length. In season this hike
offers great floral displays. The hike
begins at the Norway Pass Trail Head.
The trail is steep during the first
mile as it gains nearly 900 feet. As
the trail climbs your views of the
surrounding valleys, hills, and mountains
improve. At 1 mile you come to the junction
of Trail #227A. Bear right and continue
on Trail #1 toward Norway Pass.
In a little over another mile you will
gain elevation and then lose some. Views
of Mt Rainier improve dramatically. When
you reach Norway Pass, you come to the
junction of Trail #227 that leads back to
Independence Pass. After taking a million
photos or so of Mt St Helens, continue on
toward Mt Margaret.
The trail now begins to climb vigorously.
From now on you will be treated to
exceptional vistas of Mt Adams to the east.
There are adequate switchbacks so the climb
is not difficult. Views of Mt St Helens
keep getting better and better. At about
another mile you will come to the junction
with Trail #211 which leads to the lake
basin on the north side of the Mt Margaret
complex. Keep straight ahead on Trail #1.
In another mile you will begin to get views
looking north toward Mt Rainier, and the
lake basin below you. In season you may
be treated to various encounters with the
elk of the area... at least to their bugling.
If you hike here early in the summer, you
will encounter snow. If you hike here late
in the summer or early fall you will
encounter huckleberries by the billions.
In about another mile you will come to the
junction with the abandoned Trail #214 to
Mt Whittier. Keep on straight ahead with
Trail #1 toward Mt Margaret. In another
mile you will come to the spur trail which
leads to the top of Mt Margaret. Follow
this Trail #1F to the top and feast on the
unparalleled views.
A Virtual Hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
