Photo of the Month: Sunrise over Mt. Adams

Mt Margaret Backcountry [Mt. St. Helens, Washington]

Trail: Boundary Trail #1

Distance: 11 miles roundtrip

Elevation Gain: 2,188 ft

Access: Norway Pass Trailhead on Forest Road 26

Rating: Difficult

Agency: Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, Gifford Pinchot N.F.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/mountsthelens/

Trail Description:

The Boundary Trail #1 is a historic trail connecting Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens across rugged parts of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. One portion of this trail winds through the Mt. Margaret Backcountry within the Blast Zone of the 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens. Passing through the blown-down forest, the trail has little vegetation cover and is largely exposed to the elements. Large shrubs and young coniferous trees line the trail at times, but most of the hike is lined with small bushes of huckleberry, salmonberry and wildflower fields of indian paintbrush, lupine, fireweed, pearly everlasting, mariposa lily and more. Fine dust and ash make up the trail floor, making it difficult to keep oneself clean on a hot summer day. This combined with an elevation gain of about 500 ft/mile make this hike more challenging than others within the Monument. From the ridge are excellent views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens, with views of Mt. Hood in the distance. Water can be found on the trail via a pump at the trailhead, and springs north of Bear Camp, the only designated camp site before the summit of Mt. Margaret. Be sure to bring at least a few liters of water for this hot and steep hike.

Route:

From Norway Pass Trailhead, follow the Boundary Trail straight ahead toward Norway Pass.

At 1.2 miles, continue right at the junction of the Independence Ridge Trail #227A.

At 2.2 miles, continue right at the junction of the Independence Pass Trail #227.

At 3.1 miles, continue left at the junction of the Lakes Trail #211.

At 4.9 miles, continue left at the junction of the Whittier Ridge Trail #214.

Continue for 0.6 miles to the summit of Mt. Margaret.

Directions:

From the North: Take I-5 to exit 68. Follow SR 12 to Randle, then follow signs for Mt. St. Helen's and turn right for FR 25. Continue on FR 25 until the junction of FR 99, turn right on FR 99. Just before Meta Lake viewpoint, turn onto FR 26. Norway Pass trailhead is 1 mile up the road on the left.

From the South: Take I-5 to exit 21 (Woodland exit).

Turn right onto SR 503 toward Cougar. SR 503 turns into FR 90 four miles east of Cougar. Continue on FR 90 for 15 miles until it turns into FR 25. Continue on FR 25 for 25 miles, turn left onto FR 99. Just before Meta Lake viewpoint, turn onto FR 26. Norway Pass trailhead is 1 mile up the road on the left.

View from Mt. Margaret to Mt. St. Helens