Norway Pass Trailhead Camp?

Trip recommendations, current conditions, and other trail related Q&A
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DannyH
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Joined: December 14th, 2011, 3:48 pm

Norway Pass Trailhead Camp?

Post by DannyH » August 20th, 2018, 12:35 pm

Hi Team,

I couldn’t find a permit for this Thursday for a good spot in the Mount Margaret Backcountry. It’s a really long drive for just one day of hiking, so i’m Thinking about sleeping in my car at the trailhead after doing the Whittier Ridge/Lakes Trail/boundary trail loop, and then doing a couple shorter hikes on a Friday.

Anyone done this before? Are there places close to Norway Pass that would be better to camp?

Also, anyone have a smoke report for the area? Thanks.
"It isn't the mountain ahead that wears you out; it's the grain of sand in your shoe."

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retired jerry
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Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm

Re: Norway Pass Trailhead Camp?

Post by retired jerry » August 20th, 2018, 12:38 pm

http://lar.wsu.edu/airpact/gmap/ap5/ap5smoke.html

smoke map

you can see how it varies over a short time, like even a few hours

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Don Nelsen
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Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Norway Pass Trailhead Camp?

Post by Don Nelsen » August 20th, 2018, 1:42 pm

I was up there yesterday and as Jerry says, it changes in even a few hours.

If you still want to take a chance with the smoke and car camp, there's Ryan Lake, another 3.8 miles farther north on the 26 road. Flat parking lot, little used and a restroom.

A few pics from yesterday:

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On the plus side, the huckleberries and salmon berries are the best I've seen in years:

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dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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romann
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Location: Vancouver, WA

Re: Norway Pass Trailhead Camp?

Post by romann » August 21st, 2018, 10:21 pm

I don't see any issue sleeping there in the car at Norway Pass trailhead. There's always quite a few cars parked overnight, all you need there is NW Forest Pass.

One time I slept there in my tent (in the corner of parking lot) behind my car, it worked pretty well.

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