Mount Whittier (5883 ft) and Whittier Ridge
8/17/2015
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Clean Prominence 1,843 ft
Class: 3 to 4 Miles: 2 One way along ridge only Elevation Gain: -400 or +400 dependent on approach Permits: Northwest forest Pass Mount Margaret Wilderness Permit (If Camping) Driving Directions: From Seattle |
Notable Peak lists for Mount Whittier
Washington State Top 200 by Prominence (Rank #177) |
We approached this scramble using the Lakes Trail via the Norway pass trail head. There are other approaches but I know nothing of them yet. ***This trail is dangerous and people have gotten hurt up there. If you are not an experienced scrambler or hiker, please stay off the ridge. Furthermore, we did this wearing an overnight pack and I highly recommend you find a way to avoid this. It was, for lack of a better word, treacherous***
From the Lakes Trail, the mount Whittier trail climbs quickly upwards and does not yield until it tops out on the ridge where you will be rewarded with views of Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. These mountains will dominate your day and offer a nice reprieve from the sometimes heart pounding trail.
There are spots of class 3 and 4, however, my partner was able to find ways around some of them so keep your head up and try different ways. Make sure you are not following a Mountain Goat or Elk trail. Carefully check your hand and foot holds as many are loose at best.
If you can stomach the ridge, the views are incredible and they are completely worth the effort. As for the difficulty and the look I will let the video speak for itself.
From the end of this trail (provided you go the same direction we did) you can take a left onto Boundary trail #1 which will lead you back to the Norway Pass trail head. Otherwise, you can ditch your pack for a bit in the tree cover near the trail and do a short hike up to the top of Mt. Margaret
From the Lakes Trail, the mount Whittier trail climbs quickly upwards and does not yield until it tops out on the ridge where you will be rewarded with views of Mt St Helens, Mt Rainier and Mt Adams. These mountains will dominate your day and offer a nice reprieve from the sometimes heart pounding trail.
There are spots of class 3 and 4, however, my partner was able to find ways around some of them so keep your head up and try different ways. Make sure you are not following a Mountain Goat or Elk trail. Carefully check your hand and foot holds as many are loose at best.
If you can stomach the ridge, the views are incredible and they are completely worth the effort. As for the difficulty and the look I will let the video speak for itself.
From the end of this trail (provided you go the same direction we did) you can take a left onto Boundary trail #1 which will lead you back to the Norway Pass trail head. Otherwise, you can ditch your pack for a bit in the tree cover near the trail and do a short hike up to the top of Mt. Margaret
An ominous sign at the trail terminus
Mt St. Helens from Whittier Ridge
Me and Mt Rainier on the Whittier Ridge
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Rainier from the ridge
Best lunch time view ever
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Looking north from the Whittier Ridge
Whittier Ridge from near Mt. Margaret
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