Mount Margaret 7.29.14

[weathercrazy]

Yesterday was an amazing day for a hike. I don't know why I have never done this hike, but I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to return.

Trail conditions: No mud, mainly dry, dusty in areas. A couple of places the trail is deeply rutted.

Bugs: Tons toward the top, but none that were really biting.

Trip: 11.4 miles, 2,400' elevation gain

I saw about 8 other people the entire trip. It was very warm toward the end, so I'm glad I got an early start (just before 7)

All pics:

http://weathercrazy.smugmug.com/Landsca ... t-Margaret

Opening pic:



Lots of fireweed



Wildflowers of all sort! Pearly everlasting, paintbrush, mariposa lilies, fireweed, lupine, columbine, pasque flower, just to name a few...



Oh, and tonnnnnnns of foxglove



Even though the hike is fairly long for a day hike, the views keep you going



The higher you go, the more the views open up



Wow!



Keep in mind, you don't even see MSH until over 2 miles into the hike



MSH above Norway Pass



Hood



My favorite part of the hike is above the Lakes Trail junction





MSH and Spirit Lake from Margaret. By the way, Spirit Lake looks much larger from here than any other place I've seen.



Rainier and views north



Some kind of bug hatch at the top...lucky me, they weren't biting, they appeared just to be flying ants, but they were sure a nuisance.



Elk resting below Mount Margaret



Rainier



More amazing wildflowers and views



I took 350 pictures...it was just an amazing day!

[aircooled]

Gorgeous photos!!!! Thanks for the TR. What a great hike!

[jdemott]

Great pictures! Thanks for posting. That is a wonderful hike and a great area to explore!

[Roy]

Yesterday was an amazing day for a hike. I don't know why I have never done this hike, but I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to return.
The higher you go, the more the views open up
More amazing wildflowers and views
I took 350 pictures...it was just an amazing day!

This is my favorite hike in the monument every time I take someone I basically here the same thing you said from them.

go back around Labor Day if you like berries.

[drm]

So you started from the east - Norway Pass?

[UTurn]

Looks absolutely beautiful!

[weathercrazy]

Yes Norway Pass and return.

I've seen two different mileages and elevation gain. One 11.4 and 2,400' and another 10.5 and 2,200'

Either way, I'll be returning this fall hopefully, to get berries as mentioned above

I should mention that some berries are ready for the taking, mainly lower on the hike.

So you started from the east - Norway Pass?

[mjuliana]

Great photos and a very timely report for me. We are backpacking into Margaret Camp on Friday and then will explore the area on Saturday. Looks like the trail is clear of snow?

Are there any really exposed sections of the trail similar to the devil's elbow by Johnston Ridge? My wife doesn't do too well on sections of trail like that...

[weathercrazy]

There are maybe 3 areas where you cross snow? And they are so negligible I didn't even mention them!

There is one small section just after Norway pass where you cross an area of rock where the trail is thin, but even that is so small and nothing like for example, Eagle Creek or the devil's elbow.

If you've never been, I highly recommend extra water, and, leaving early in the day, or later in the evening. This trail is very exposed to the sun. I took extra water and was very glad I did!

Great photos and a very timely report for me. We are backpacking into Margaret Camp on Friday and then will explore the area on Saturday. Looks like the trail is clear of snow?

Are there any really exposed sections of the trail similar to the devil's elbow by Johnston Ridge? My wife doesn't do too well on sections of trail like that...

[rainrunner]

Fabulous photos and trip report that is so inviting to an area we rarely see. I can totally relate to the 350 photos because of Kevin.
Ann