Home Up Four Day Loop Three Day Lake Camp

 

Mt. Margaret Backcountry
Four Day Loop Backpack

This trip is appropriate for backpackers in reasonable shape.  Oregon Peak Adventures is the only guide service authorized by the US Forest Service to lead trips in the Mt. Margaret Backcountry.  We hike  30 miles in four days through the blow-down zone north of Mt. St. Helens.  Closed to camping after the eruption in 1980 until 1999, this is a unique area of the world.  Pristine lakes, streams, waterfalls, and blow-down - there's no other place like it.  This the only area where camping is permitted within the blow-down zone in the National Volcanic Monument.

Access to the area is strictly limited with the party size limited to four - your guide and three backpackers.  You may not see anyone else once we leave the trailhead.  Experience the effects of the blast of the 1980 eruption and witness the regeneration of life in this unforgettable trip.

PRICE: 1 person $1,000, 2 persons $600 each, 3 persons - $500 each.

Scheduled Trip:

August 8-11, 2008 (3 spots available)

SCHEDULE

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DAY ONE
We leave Portland about 6 AM and drive to Norway Pass Trailhead (3,640’) on the northeast side of Mt. St. Helens . Here we load up and head out. At about 2.3 miles we’ll take a break at Norway Pass Trailhead (4,508’) for an awesome view of Spirit Lake and the north side of St. Helens.  We then traverse to the west about a mile and climb up to just below Bear Pass (4,980’). We’ll drop our packs and walk up to the Pass to checkout the route of our final day plus views of Mts. Rainier, Adams,

 Mt. Rainier from Bear Camp

and Hood.  We then continue east for 1.5 miles to Bear Camp (5,500’), our first camp. Here we have views of mountains, Spirit Lake, and St. Helens crater.
 

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DAY TWO
Today is peak-bagger day. From Bear Camp we hike west about a mile to Mt. Margaret. A short trail and a scramble puts us up on the summit (5,858’).  We then continue on the Boundary Trail about 4 miles with continuous views of Spirit Lake, St. Helens Lake,  and Mt. St. Helens to Coldwater Peak (5,727’). A short trail leads to the summit, formerly the site of a fire lookout, now a seismic monitoring site. Just south of Coldwater Peak we turn onto the Coldwater Trail and after 2.4 miles of very interesting hiking, reach our second stop, Ridge Camp (4,000).  Ridge Camp is typically without water so we will carry a good supply with us from Bear camp.

Mt. Margaret & St. Helens

bulletDAY THREE
Today we go from peaks to lakes. From Ridge Camp we descend the Coldwater Trail for 2 miles into the Coldwater Creek drainage to the  intersection with the Lakes Trail (2,540'). From here we do a 4 mile rising traverse along the steep valley wall up to Snow Lake (4,700'), our final camp. Snow Lake is a beautiful camp set at the base of a ghost forest with stunning views across the Coldwater Creek drainage to the Mt. Margaret ridgeline.
Ghost Trees at Snow Lake Camp



                                        

bulletDAY FOUR
Today is lake day. From our Snow Lake Camp we climb 500’ to the summit of Pleasant Pass. We then descend past Shovel Lake to Panhandle Lake (4,492’) where we can stop to fish. We then ascend 500’ over a pass and drop back down to Obscurity Lake (4,348’), passing waterfalls, wildflowers, and, in season, huge huckleberries.  We continue traversing around the valley, pass Grizzly Lake on our right, and work our way up back to Bear Pass (4,980’). We have gone about 5 miles today, and now roll downhill the last 3 miles, backtracking past Norway Pass and to the Trailhead.

 

EQUIPMENT LIST

CLOTHING for possible sun, rain, wind and cold nights:

Sturdy hiking boots with lug soles; gaiters; Wool /polypropylene socks; Liner socks; Thermal underwear (polypropylene, or equivalent); Warm sweater, fleece jacket, or wool shirt; Short-sleeve shirt; Shorts; Warm pants (Not jeans!); Gore-Tex (or other water-resistant material) Parka; Wind pants; Mittens or gloves; Sun hat; Warm hat; clothes to change into at the car are nice

TEN ESSENTIALS:

Whistle; Map of area: (I have the Geo-Graphics Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, 1998); Compass; Headlamp/Flashlight (with extra batteries and bulb or another flashlight); Extra food and Clothing (wool socks, more warm things); Sunscreen and lip protection; Pocket knife; Lighter or matches in waterproof container and firestarter; First aid kit (Absolutely no drugs or medicines that will make you drowsy or dizzy.)

OTHER

Ice ax (early season)*, Liquids (at least two+ qts.); Handkerchief; Toilet paper; Small insulation pad for sitting on (attach it to your pack) or Crazy Creek style camp chair; Sunglasses/goggles; Insect Repellent, camera and film/card, trekking poles*. Camp shoes and a book will be appreciated.

CAMPING GEAR

Sleeping bag and Pad

Eating utensils - cup, bowl, and spoon. My recommendations are a plastic quart-sized measuring cup with a handle, an insulated 12 oz. plastic cup (available from REI), and a plastic/lexsan spoon.

You will need a backpack large enough (5,000 cu. in. +) to comfortably carry your personal gear plus your share of group gear. Porter Support is available!

*OPA will provide: permits, guide, transportation from Portland to trailhead and return, great food, tent(s) with ground cloth, ice ax (in snow conditions), trekking poles, stove, fuel and pots, and water filter.

Oregon Peak Adventures can make arrangements for you to rent any needed equipment.  Go to the Sign-up Form to make your reservation.  Please call (503) 297-5100 or (877) 965-5100 or e-mail if you have any questions

For Equipment Recommendations click here.

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