Before checking into our weekend camp (OK, cabin) at Ike Kinswa State Park, we decided to do a short lunch hike, since it has been years since we viewed Mt. St. Helens from the northeast side. Norway Pass checked all the boxes, so off we went, down Road 25 (a free amusement park ride) and Road 99 (MUCH better, thank you) to the short bit on Road 26 to the Trailhead. It was mostly sunny with temps in the upper 60's, perfect hiking weather. Unfortunately, this was the day that high level forest fire smoke started to descend on western Washington AND the day that the Packwood fire accelerated, so smoke was interfering with views by the time we returned to the trailhead. At 11:45 AM there were four cars at the trailhead, one belonging to the back-country ranger we met ten minutes into the hike. Bees found us right away, but the slight breeze and a bit of hand-waving took care of them.
We took off just past noon, amazed at the thick layers of ashy soil at the outset of the trail. Norway Pass is often characterized as an open hike, a "better hike it in the morning" sort of thing. While it is not exactly a forest hike, there are plenty of shady rest spots in the first half or so, next to trees or tall underbrush. I forgot how close we were to Meta Lake, and when we rounded a corner and got higher than the intervening hill, I couldn't figure out at first where that lake came from. (Are those kayakers?) The trail is in great shape over the first half; the brushing crew seemed to run out of steam in the second half, but it was easily passable. Berries were pretty cooked-looking and dried out, but on some bushes there were a few that qualified as plump, well worth the search.
The second half features a turn to the northwest that puts you on a long ridge walk in the SHADE, until you get near the Pass proper. When you see the "telephone pole tree" (the blasted "pole" that's close enough to the trail to touch it with YOUR pole), you're within 5 minutes of the Pass and trail junction. We took guidebook advice and headed left/south from the Pass a few more minutes to get a nice viewpoint for lunch, overlooking the volcano and always-amazing Spirit Lake.
The clouds to the east began moving a bit, so on the way back we finally got a look at Mt. Adams. Mt. Rainier tried to appear, but smoke from the Packwood fire and "normal" cloudiness kept it hidden that day, On our way out of the Forest, we learned that Highway 12 had been shut down at Packwood, which helped the decision making for the next day's hike.
Enjoy Norway Pass; the trail is smooth and easy, your sunscreen will only get a short workout along the trail, and the views and open country will make you want to continue on the Boundary Trail..to the Lakes Trail and beyond?
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