Saint Helens from Norway Pass

The trail from the Norway Pass Trailhead is uphill all the way to Bear Pass. It then drops down to Grizzly lake and goes up and down in elevation until the Mt Whittier Trail. You hardly notice the elevation gain on this  hike, as you witness wide open views the whole day.

Grizzly Lake

Elk tracks

Skittish elk. It was well within its rights to be skittish as bow season had just opened.

Peder and I hiked on ahead at this point while Craig mapped all the campsites at Obscurity Lake.

Looking back at Obscurity Lake

First View of Panhandle Lake. We met three ladies on the trail that camped here overnight. They really enjoyed it and had the place all to themselves. When we talked to them, Craig explained that he was going down to the campsite to map it and that he was working for Green Trails. He also said he was a guidebook author at which point I blurted out “This is Craig Romano”! The ladies were thrilled to meet him and explained they got the idea to camp here from his book Backpacking Washington, hike #15 Mt Margaret Backcountry Lakes. Craig says this is the best camp on the Lakes Trail.

Looking back at Panhandle Lake

Craig taking pictures

Shovel Lake and first views of Mt Whittier

Shovel Lake Trail. Peder and I waited here and ate some lunch while Craig hiked down this trail to record it with his GPS. He complained about this trail the whole rest of the day, LOL. The trail disappears about half way down and was very dusty he said. We weren’t sure if there was a camp down there or not but if there was, he couldn’t find it.

Mt Whittier. The trail leaves the lakes trail and starts climbing up the shoulder of the mountain on the right of the picture. It was very steep.

There was a group in front of us that was already doing the traverse. During lunch we occasionally heard voices drifting down and when we looked up we could see these folks on the ridge. They kept going back and forth like they didn’t know where to go. Peder said the route in the area they were in was a little hard to follow. You can just make out one of the hikers in the middle of the saddle.

Across the valley I spotted an Elk, or maybe Peder spotted it, I can’t remember. I zoomed and took photos. Later, when I was processing the images I discovered there were two elk. They were watching Craig as he made his way down to Shovel Lake. Can you spot them?

Finally, the Whittier “trail”

Craig being funny

The trail had been closed for a few years due to a washout. This is the old section near the washout that has now been abandoned.

Shovel Lake below. Craig was still talking about his hike down there.

Panorama from the shoulder of Whittier looking NE. Rainier in the distance.

Craig taking notes at the beginning of the ridge walk

Peder pointing out the trail that follows the ridge to the top of Whittier

You want me to go where!!!! Ah ha ha ha ha ha! You’re kidding right?

If you look real close in the center of the picture, you can see the group that was ahead of us. They finally figured out the correct route (more or less) and were starting to make progress.

“Come on Jay, it’s not that steep!”

“Really it’s not!” It was at this point that I was really wishing I had brought some hiking poles.

It doesn’t look too bad in this photo but this was the first somewhat sketchy section.

This is looking back at the section in the previous picture. You can just make out the trail in the upper right hand corner. Craig is asking, “Where is the trail”?

More ridge walking in a less exposed section.

Guidebook author in action

We spied a couple of mountain goats. This was quite a surprise. I didn’t expect to see goats up here.

Goats and the summit of Whittier.

Peder leading the way

One of the heart pounding spots. Photo by Craig Romano

Peder waiting patiently as Craig and I gawk and take pictures

Holmstedt Lake

Approaching the top. Photo by Craig Romano

Peder, Craig and myself on the Mt Whittier summit.

Craig contemplating the rest of the hike

Peder on the Whittier Summit.

Leaving the summit. Photo by Craig Romano

Peder leading the way though the last sketchy section

Just…

…a little further

Craig’s turn.

I forgot to mention it earlier but a rain cloud moved in just before we got to this spot making the trail and rocks wet and slick.

Luckily, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it looks.

My turn…. gulp!

Phewww! done with that part. Here is looking back. Not so bad.

Although past the worst of it, the drop-off was still kind of hairy.

Looking out at the rain cloud that got us.

Never go in those cool looking ice caves unless you want this to happen

Peder scoping Boot Lake

Looking back at the traverse

Ahhh!

Back on good trail!

Saint Helens from the Boundary trail

A look back at Mt Whittier. If you look closely you can see an arch Peder called the cannon hole just to the left of the summit.

A look down at Grizzly lake from the Boundary trail

Craig capturing the fall colors

This grouse refused to move which gave us a great opportunity to take it’s picture

Fall fast approaching

On my drive home, I was rewarded with this sunset. It was simply a fantastic day.