Started from Norway Pass trailhead around 3 pm and headed for Bear Camp. This section of the trail only had a few short snow patches, we did not use any traction devices to here. Bear Camp tent sites were mostly dry and free of snow, though there is still alot of snow in the area.
In the morning we headed up to Mount Teragram. Getting to Teragram from the junction with Whittier ridge trail was steep snow, crampons and experience suggested. From there we headed back to junction and onto Whittier Ridge Trail.
Whittier Ridge Trail - From the junction to getting on the ridge was all snow- Very steep traverses, crampons suggested. Once we got onto the beginning of the ridge it was snow free the entire way until the end, again once we left the ridge we were into snow again to get back to Lakes Trail. The ridge was very straight forward and easy to follow - we met up with a herd of goats just as were about to start the climb up Mount Whittier. I highly recommend this traverse!
From the junction with the Lakes Trail, we headed down to snow lake for lunch, no snow with a great stream for filtering water.
Hiked back up towards and then down to Shovel Lake, there was some snow on this trail near the bottom. We hiked back out and started towards Pan Handle Lake. There is a big snow field on this section which makes finding the trail on the other side very difficult, navigation skills a must. There is river crossing just pass the Pan Handle camp sites that is covered with snow and the snow bridge is very thin, use caution. Pan Handle camp sites also snow free, as were Obscurity Camp sites.
The Trail back towards grizzly lake and Norway Pass was very overgrown with a few snow patches, with nothing too bad until we got right under Bear Pass. This snow field held many challenges so we decided to put crampons on and head straight up of trail to the ridge, where we located the junction very close below back to Norway Pass.
Wild Life Spotted - Bear with cub - herd of goats (30+) - Elk Herd - a few deer - some Grouse and chipmunks - and Zero Humans!
If not on your list - this area should be!
P.S. There was alot of confusion about roads being open - specifically FR25 but google got us there no problem with a short detour - be aware of the logging trucks, they are going fast and expect you to yield the right of way!
Comments
Craig on Whittier Ridge-Lakes Loop
I give you much credit for hiking the Whittier trail. I've hiked all over Washington, and Whittier is the scariest I've ever experienced. In fact, I turned back.
The Gifford Pinchot website says the 99 and 26 roads are still closed. How did you get to the Norway Pass trailhead?
Posted by:
Craig on Jun 26, 2025 07:52 AM