Information about this hike provided in partnership with
Mountaineers Books.
Copyright © Dan A. Nelson/The Mountaineers Books Norway Pass
Hike just over 2 miles west from Norway Pass, and you hit...Norway Pass. No, it's not some magical bending of the fabric of the universe, merely a quirk of the cartographer. The Norway Pass at the trailhead is one of those road features named for nearby places, whereas the true Norway Pass is found on the ridge above Spirit Lake and below Mount Margaret. To get from the wannabe pass to the really-is pass, you'll stroll along a stunning trail through the blown-down woods up onto a high windswept ridge with incredible views of the mighty Mount St. Helens and the expanse of the Mount Margaret backcountry area.
Savvy hikers will get to the trailhead early-not to avoid crowds of hikers (well, there will be these as well on a nice summer weekend), but rather to be hiking in the coolness of early morning with the sunrise hitting the open slopes around you! Hike west on the Boundary Trail about a mile through the dusty ash-laden landscape to the junction with the Independence Ridge Trail (No. 227A). The scenery around the trail is total devastation, with a few strong signs of returning life-flowers and shrubs are coming back to this scorched zone. At the trail junction, turn right (north) to stay on the Boundary Trail. About 0.25 mile past the trail fork, you'll come around a bend in the trail and be able to look forward, seeing the next mile of trail laid out before you, all the way to Norway Pass. As you stride along this exposed trail, you'll enjoy views north down in the upper Green River valley. At 2.2 miles from the trailhead you'll crest Norway Pass proper. You'll suddenly be basking in the stunning views of Spirit Lake, and Mount St. Helens' gaping breach beyond. To increase your viewing pleasure, walk about 0.1 mile south on the Independence Pass Trail, which joins the Boundary Trail at Norway Pass. This short side-trek opens up views southeast to Windy Ridge.
Driving Directions:
From Randle, drive south on Forest Road 25 to its junction with FR 99 (found just past Iron Creek Falls). Turn right (west) onto FR 99 and drive 9.2 miles before turning right (north) onto FR 26. Continue about 1 mile on FR 26 to the Norway Pass trailhead. Recent Trip Reports
Hiked here recently?
Submit a trip report!
There are
37
trip reports for this hike.
See all trip reports for this hike.
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
No water source
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
I hiked this with the nine-year-old brother, parents, and everyone in between and we had no trouble ...
I hiked this with the nine-year-old brother, parents, and everyone in between and we had no trouble reaching Norway Pass. This hike provides beautiful views of surrounding mountains and ends with an especially striking view of Spirit Lake at the base of Mt. St. Helens. The lake is still 1/3rd full of dead trees, stripped from the mountainside and surrounding area in the blast decades ago.
The hike is well-maintained and well-traveled (although it was far from crowded, especially for Labor Day weekend). The huckleberries are ripe and there are LOTS to be picked and enjoyed! Also note that you do not need to travel down any dirt roads to reach this hike. This keeps the car nice and clean but be forewarned- the hike is very dusty/ashy. If it's been dry weather (as it has been recently) expect to not only be covered in it, but to be breathing it in. Happy hiking!
Norway Pass, Mount Margaret
— Aug 25, 2012
— University Congregational Hikers
Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Snow on trail
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
Superb hike. Justly famous views of Mt. St. Helens across Spirit Lake from the midst of the devasta...
Superb hike. Justly famous views of Mt. St. Helens across Spirit Lake from the midst of the devastated area. Fine more distant views of Rainier and Adams. Hood barely visible through haze (smoke?). Flowers are past their prime lower down, but still near prime and excellent higher up close to Mt. Margaret. Remaining bug population minimal (at least in the breeze). Lots of good huckleberries, mostly in the last half-mile before Norway Pass.
The trail is essentially snowfree, except in the notorious ravine on the east side of Mt. Margaret proper where snow tends to linger (now only mildly troublesome). There is still about a 15 or 20 yard crossing of a sloping snowfield. The slope is not TOO steep, but slipping would be unpleasant (through likely not fatal). Poles (or at least a pole for the downhill side) would still be a good idea there. There are still a couple of snowbanks around the camp area about 4 1/2 miles past the Norway Pass trailhead (about a mile short of Mt. Margaret), so there is water for campers. Natural revegetation is gradually progressing, especially on some northern exposures, but shade is still quite scarce on most of the trail, which is chiefly exposed to south, east, or west. This makes for an open hiking experience more like the farther east slopes of the Cascades than that typical on the west side. Note: There is road work planned in September in this area. According to the Forest Service: FR 25 at MP 4 will be closed for culvert work around mid-September; tentative dates are Sept. 17th - Sept 28th, but this could change. FR 99 from MP 11 to Windy Ridge will be closed from Sept. 4th - Oct. 4th. I believe this is (just) past the FR26 intersection, so access to Norway Pass trailhead will not be affected. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
We visited on a beautiful, clear day which was perfect for this particular hike. We could see views ...
We visited on a beautiful, clear day which was perfect for this particular hike. We could see views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier (sometimes both at once) as we ascended and I would guess that, on a cloudy day, we would not have seen much.
We hiked up to Norway Pass and saw a spectacular view of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake. We were hiking with four kids and turned back after we reached this viewpoint. Two were hiking and two were carried in backpacks. The five and four-year-old handled the trail well, but it was mostly exposed and lacking in shade so it was on the warmer side. The trail was smooth and well-maintained and easy for little hikers to navigate. It was also very dry and dusty. My only issue is that the WTA trail guide here claims the elevation gain is 300 feet. The sign at the trailhead estimates 500 feet. It's actually somewhere closer to 1,000 feet to reach Norway Pass. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming | Ripe berries
Issues:
Washouts | No water source | Road to trailhead inaccessible
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The one mile road to Norway pass (26) was labeled as "not recommended" by a sign at the entrance. W...
The one mile road to Norway pass (26) was labeled as "not recommended" by a sign at the entrance. We found from other hikers that it is in OK shape just past the shoddy looking start of the road.
We opted to go a few miles up the road (99) and started the hike from the Independence pass trailhead. The trail opens within a quarter mile to great views of St Helens and Spirit lake. We hiked this section before cutting back to Norway pass and on up to the base of Mt Margaret. The trail 227 one mile in from Independence pass was closed due to washouts. There are a few exposed spots on the first mile that require holding onto kids with a tight grasp. The trail 227A connects to Norway pass descending and looping around the north about a mile. There were views of Hood, Adams and Rainier from the ridge line trail. My wife and I swapped running up ahead while the other hiked with the kids. After running up to Mt Margaret and back my 7 year old daughter informed me that one was "supposed" to hike slowly. We spent the next few hours strolling back down the trail feasting on huckleberries, blueberries and strawberries. I think she was right. Day hike
Features:
Wildflowers blooming
Expand report text
Hide report text
Read full report
with photos
The road opened on the 13th, so it was the perfect time to check out Norway Pass. There were more ho...
The road opened on the 13th, so it was the perfect time to check out Norway Pass. There were more hoof prints (elk?) than boot prints this early in the season, plus lots of coyote scat. Some flowers were in bloom, most notably beautiful white avalanche lilies in the final 3/4-mile or so up to the pass.
Great views of Adams and Rainier along the way, but the reason to do this hike is to get the views of Spirit Lake and the blast zone from the pass. Awesome! No problematic conditions to report, though there is one extremely large log across the trail that has no doubt been there for a long time. Also a tiny amount of snow remaining at a small creek crossing - should be gone within days. Note that the Independence Pass trail was signed as closed due to wash outs. We ran into a hiker who had gone all the way to Mount Margaret - he said there was still significant snow there - make sure you bring your ice axe if you are planning to go that far. |
 Stunning views of Mount St. Helens abound on the way to Norway Pass and Mt. Margaret. Photo: Opus
|
Document Actions
- Email this page
- Print this
- Share
