This area referred to as the Mt Margaret Back country is no doubt the most remote area of the entire Mt St Helens National Volcanic Monument. This remoteness creates unique opportunities for solitude and the likelihood of observing wildlife.

This hike is one of many that begins at the Norway Pass trail head. You will follow the same trail as far as the junction to Trail #211 which takes you over Bear Pass and down the north side of the Mt Margaret complex.

Upon reaching the junction to Trail #211, turn and continue climbing to the ridge, which is called Bear Pass. This ridge is a worthy hike in itself. From Bear Pass you have excellent views of Mt Rainier to the north, Mt Adams to the east, Mt Hood to the south, and of course you are staring into the throat of Mt St Helens.

The trail then descends to Grizzly Lake about a mile below. Remember, you need a special permit to camp at any of the lakes in this area. There are designated camp areas which are the only places you have permission to camp. You must obtain the permit from the Park Service.

There are many incredible areas to hike and camp on this northern slope of the Mt Margaret complex. There are a large variety of wild animals that one can encounter. Pets are NOT allowed into this area. And if you camp, you must use extreme caution as to not encourage the local wild life from partaking of your groceries.

If you decide to make a loop out of this hike and return via the Mt Whittier ridge line, you must be aware of the inherent dangers of this back country travel. There once was a trail across Mt Whittier, but it has long since eroded, collapsed, vanished, disappeared, and otherwise been abducted by space aliens.

Do NOT try to cross any areas that pose a danger to your being. I do NOT encourage anyone to hike this ridge. The maps show the trail, so I am sharing with you what I know about it. I make the trek, so obviously, it is possible. There are those of you who are a 100 times more skilled than I am, and in far better shape, not to mention a couple days younger, so it can be done..... by some people.

Panhandle Lake


Looking south from Mount Whittier

From Woodland, WA
From Woodland follow SR 503 and the Lewis River Road for about 48 miles to the community of Cougar, WA. From Cougar, continue east on the Lewis River Road which will turn into Forest Road 90 after you enter the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. In about 18.5 miles you will come to the junction of Forest Road 25. Forest Road 90 makes a right turn, downhill at this junction, but you will need to continue straight ahead on what is now FR25. Follow FR25 north for approximately 25 miles, passing the Cedar Flats Natural Area, and the junction to Forest Road 93, which takes you to the Craggy Peak hike and the Hat Rock Overlook hike, past Elk Pass and the junction of Forest Road 28 which leads to the Craggy Peak hike, and finally you will come to Forest Road 99 on your left, which is the road that leads to the Windy Ridge side of the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and many hikes.

From Carson, WA
If however, you plan to approach this hike from the Columbia River Gorge area, then begin at Carson, Washington and head northwest on the Wind River Hwy. In 7.5 miles you will pass through the little community of Stabler, and in another 5.8 miles you will come to the junction of Forest Road 30. Turn right onto FR30 and follow this road for 13.2 miles north along the Wind River and then up a steep incline and onto a plateau where you will come to the junction of the Curly Creek Road. Turn left onto the Curly Creek Road and follow it downhill past an excellent view area for about 5.1 miles until you come to Forest Road 90. Turn left onto FR90 and follow it for about 4.1 miles. You will descent to and cross the Lewis River then come to the junction with Forest Road 25. Make a sharp right turn onto FR25. Follow FR25 north for approximately 25 miles, passing the Cedar Flats Natural Area, and the junction to Forest Road 93, which takes you to the Craggy Peak hike and the Hat Rock Overlook hike, past Elk Pass and the junction of Forest Road 28 which leads to the Craggy Peak hike, and finally you will come to Forest Road 99 on your left, which is the road that leads to the Windy Ridge side of the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and many hikes.

From Randle, WA
Go south out of Randle on SR 131, cross the Cowlitz River, and you will come to Forest Road 23 on your left. Stay on SR 131 heading south and soon this road will become Forest Road 25. Continue south on FR25 for almost 20 miles and you will come to Forest Road 99 on your right.

From junction of FR25 and FR99
After turning onto Forest Road 99, you will climb westward for about 9 miles before coming to Forest Road 26 on your right, which takes your to the Norway Pass TH, which is also the parking area for the Mt. Margaret Backcountry hike, which is the Mt. Whittier traverse.