Mt. Margaret
Location: Mt. St. Helens
11 miles total, 2,300' gained
driving directions
trail map
forest service site
weather forecast for this area
This is an out and back hike to Mt. Margaret in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Head up from the Norway Pass trailhead to Norway Pass (two different spots), with a classic and awesome view right across Spirit Lake and to Mt. St. Helens. Continue ascending, taking in the well-known, but 'I can't believe I'm standing here' effect the 1980 eruption had on the area. The other regional volcanoes show themselves off as well, with the culmination being the 5,800' summit of Mt. Margaret. For the return, retrace your route, realizing as you forget about where the parking lot is, that this is not your typical out and back hike.
Water may be non-existent in the summer (a pump is at the trailhead), and camping is by advance permit only (see USFS website). Additionally, Road 99 must be ungated to access the trailhead, which may not occur until June. Thus Mt. Margaret is an ideal day hike sometime in June or later, and is a great choice if the nearby Whittier Ridge trail is not your taste.
For an alternate route to Mt. Margaret, you can start at the Johnston Ridge Observatory to the west. A shorter driver, but a longer hike (17 miles). See Coldwater Peak, Harry's Ridge page for more details.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for the Norway Pass trailhead.
driving directions
trail map
forest service site
weather forecast for this area
This is an out and back hike to Mt. Margaret in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.
Head up from the Norway Pass trailhead to Norway Pass (two different spots), with a classic and awesome view right across Spirit Lake and to Mt. St. Helens. Continue ascending, taking in the well-known, but 'I can't believe I'm standing here' effect the 1980 eruption had on the area. The other regional volcanoes show themselves off as well, with the culmination being the 5,800' summit of Mt. Margaret. For the return, retrace your route, realizing as you forget about where the parking lot is, that this is not your typical out and back hike.
Water may be non-existent in the summer (a pump is at the trailhead), and camping is by advance permit only (see USFS website). Additionally, Road 99 must be ungated to access the trailhead, which may not occur until June. Thus Mt. Margaret is an ideal day hike sometime in June or later, and is a great choice if the nearby Whittier Ridge trail is not your taste.
For an alternate route to Mt. Margaret, you can start at the Johnston Ridge Observatory to the west. A shorter driver, but a longer hike (17 miles). See Coldwater Peak, Harry's Ridge page for more details.
A Northwest Forest Pass is required for the Norway Pass trailhead.
Spirit Lake and Mt. St. Helens from Norway Pass
Along Boundary Trail
Whittier Ridge from Mt. Margaret
Mt. St. Helens from Mt. Margaret
Mt. Rainier from Mt. Margaret