Hi All, 4 of us will be backpacking in the Mount Margaret Backcountry for 3 nights from 6/30 - 7/3. Our planned itinerary is:
0 - Norway Pass Trailhead
1 - Dome Camp
2 - Ridge Camp
3 - Snow Lake
4 - Norway Pass Trailhead
It will be our first time in the area (recent California transplant). Does anyone know about water access at Dome and Ridge camps? If there is not water nearby, where is the best place to fill up before proceeding to camp? Any info on trail conditions is also appreciated (snow, bugs, obstacles, etc.)
Thanks in advance and thanks to everyone who has posted trip reports here, making planning for this trip especially fun.
HeadWest
Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
Re: Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
The Forest Service has maps for water for those two camps, see the links at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gifford ... ecid=41618
I don't think you should have any problem that early in the season. You probably will still have snow in some places, especially on the Lakes Trail since it is north-facing.
I assume you already have your reservations - how early did you have to make them?
I don't think you should have any problem that early in the season. You probably will still have snow in some places, especially on the Lakes Trail since it is north-facing.
I assume you already have your reservations - how early did you have to make them?
Re: Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
Thanks for the info. That map is encouraging. I got my reservations at 7am on March 1 - right when they opened up. I tried for several other dates and camps first, but they went so fast, seemingly within seconds of opening, that I ended up with falling back to these dates and camps (not that I'm complaining).drm wrote: ↑June 16th, 2021, 5:21 amThe Forest Service has maps for water for those two camps, see the links at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gifford ... ecid=41618
I don't think you should have any problem that early in the season. You probably will still have snow in some places, especially on the Lakes Trail since it is north-facing.
I assume you already have your reservations - how early did you have to make them?
Re: Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
Just talked to the folks at the Mt St Helens ranger station. They don't have any intel on water in the area, but suggested there might be springs near the camps. I think we'll haul water from probably Bear Camp, though hauling 2 nights worth will be interesting. Thanks for the info all.
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Re: Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
Looks like you narrowly missed the heatwave (yes, I know it'll still be hot). Please writeup a trip report, especially if there is indeed water at those camps.
Enjoy your trip!
Enjoy your trip!
Re: Mt. Margaret - Trail Questions
Yes indeed. The weather is looking pretty nice: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.p ... Nxt9MBHaEfAlpenGlowHiker wrote: ↑June 29th, 2021, 3:25 pmLooks like you narrowly missed the heatwave (yes, I know it'll still be hot). Please writeup a trip report, especially if there is indeed water at those camps.
Enjoy your trip!