Mt. Whittier, Norway Pass Traverse

Activity Notes

Mt Whittier, in the Mt Margaret Backcountry, is classified as a climb due to extreme trail conditions. Our counter-clockwise loop will start with an overgrown trail to beautiful lakes, ascend to views of Mt Adams and Mt Rainier, and then go off-trail to traverse Whittier Ridge. We'll see lots of Mt St Helens and Spirit Lake.

Anyone considering this climb should first study https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/whittier-ridge-lakes-loop. Successful applicants to this climb will have Mazamas profiles with strong summer 2023 conditioning and a background which includes scrambles in high terrain.

I recommend leaving Portland at 04:00. Unfortunately, the nearby campgrounds will be closed by this date. The drive to Norway Pass trailhead is very rough and optimal for higher-clearance AWD vehicles. We will begin our climb, boots and packs on, at 07:30. Expect a return to Portland in the first hours of darkness.