From Summit Post: Mount Whittier is the highest point in the Mount Margaret Backcountry - part of the Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument - and is part of a ridge system located just north of Mt. St. Helens and Spirit Lake. The views of the St. Helens crater from atop the ridge are some of the best anywhere in the Monument. Mount Whittier likely does not receive too many visitors. The easiest trail approaches eastwards from Norway Pass - although most hikers likely visit the nearby and slightly lower Mount Margaret (5858') to the south. Visitors may also be deterred by the Forest Service warning: "The Whittier Trail #214, in particular, is very narrow and crosses steep cliffs; it is not suitable for hikers that are uncomfortable with heights." The old trail is largely unmaintained but has several sections of easy class 3 scrambling along a narrow ledge. It's fine if it's dry, but if not, you may want a handline for safety. Mt. Whittier could easily be combined with nearby Mount Margaret (5858') as a day outing. 

Activity Notes

Mt Whittier is a serious scramble in the Mt Margaret Backcountry northeast of Mt St Helens. One website calls Whittier Ridge "the scariest hike in Southwest Washington," but the exposure on the route shouldn't scare experienced climbers. Our route is a 14-mile counter-clockwise loop visiting--taking a post-climb dip in?--the lovely lakes basin on the return trails. The traverse is exploratory for your leader at this point, but he plans to scout it in the weeks leading up to the climb. This will be a day climb with a nearby car camp the night before. This climb will be canceled in the event of wet weather, as the traverse must happen in bone-dry conditions. Successful applicants to this climb will have Mazamas profiles with lots of scrambling/climbing experience.  

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 120 miles
Driving Time from Portland 2 hours
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
FIND AN UPCOMING ACTIVITY ON THE Calendar