Independence Ridge

Hike a connector trail in the Mount St. Helens area linking Independence Pass with the Boundary Trail. Views from here include Spirit Lake and the north side of the volcano. 

At 1.3 miles long, this short trail makes for a lovely little hike that heads south to north on an east-facing slope.  The hike provides views of Mount Adams off to the east and Mount St. Helens to the south. 

The northern trailhead is 1.2 miles from the Norway Pass parking area. At the southern end, it intersects with Independence Pass trail 227 one mile from the trailhead. Between the southern trailhead and the Independence Pass intersection, the trail is open and wide without obstructions. It's important to note that this trail crosses two seasonal gullies that periodically wash out (and are, as needed, repaired by trail realignments). 

This trail used to comprise part of a lollipop loop, hikable from the Norway Pass trailhead or the Independence Pass trailhead, but because of washouts halfway through it, hiking the loop is discourage. 

Blueberries come in season mid-July and bear scat with berry seeds are evident. The best time for this hike is from May to October.