Independence Pass Loop, Independence Ridge, Norway Pass — Jul. 20, 2024
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Over the weekend in partnership with Mt. St. Helens Institue, Washington Trail Association hosted a three day work party with over 40 volunteers working on various trails off of Forest Service Road 99. There is a good sized parking lot with pit toilets
On Saturday two dfferent crews work on Independence Ridge to help 'reopen' this soon to be lost trail. The crew I was working with started at the Norway Pass trailhead heading up to Independece Pass / Ridge. Once we passed the junction of Norway Pass our work started clearing out overgorwn brush along the trail so that you can actually see where you are walking at. Heading South on the trail there is a short steep area that you have to duck under a large tree. Watch your footing since the ground is very ash and pumice. Now far after this tree is a rocky area that is kind of sketchy if you lean to the uphill side of the trail it's not as bad.
Our crew was only able to clear out about 400 feet of brush while we were working. The trail is very exposed with little shade avaiable on it. The bugs (flies) were horriable!!! no amount of bug spray could help. We ended up in long sleeves just to get some relief from the bugs
In the morning we had clear views of Rainier to the North and Adams to the East. By about noon the smoke had blown in and the haze obscured the view.
Getting to the trail head: We all came in through Randal on FS 25. This road does have some rough patchs, but a Motorcycle is able to make it, there were many on the road. FS 99 is in a bit rougher shape with some pretty decent sized bumps in the road and some of the road is starting to give way to the hillside.
Norway Pass, Mount Margaret, Independence Ridge, Boundary Trail — Jul. 16, 2022
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Unfortunately, the weather forecast was inaccurate, and the clouds never cleared completely, so Mount St. Helens was never in full view top to bottom. But what made up for this disappointment was the wonderful wildflowers! They were a constant companion, and I was truly surprised by the wide variety. Indian paintbrush flowers were out in full force, but there were at least a dozen different flora in bloom. While some flowers were at their peak, others were just getting started, so there will be plenty of blooms for weeks to come.
As we passed the first junction with the Independence Pass loop, the Independence trail seemed somewhat overgrown, so we decided to skip it this time and stay on the Boundary Trail. The initial scenery is entertaining with the wildflowers and hills and lake near the parking lot, but views start in earnest once you reach Norway Pass (2 miles). Actually you have to go a little past the sign marker for Norway Pass and suddenly Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake come in to view as well as Mount Adams to the east. Just beyond Norway Pass on the Boundary Trail, the trail is a little overgrown. I was glad to have long pants and long sleeves to shield from the branches. Once you reach Bear Camp (4.3 miles, 5500 ft), snow patches become common. They are easy to pass and require a little trail finding. From the trail split towards Mt. Margaret, there are long patches of snow and some on steep slopes; I found having hiking poles very helpful, but most people did not have them and did just fine. Mt. Margaret was our turnaround point, but I look forward to coming back to explore more of the 25+ miles of the beautiful Boundary Trail.