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August
6, 2002
The
trail starts by gradually climbing along the slope overlooking Meta
Lake. In about 0.5 mile it passes a small stream. Next 0.5 mile
of long switchbacks brings you to the junction with Independence
Ridge Trail #227A that goes to the left(south). Boundary Trail
turns right (north) and climbs for another 0.2 mile before turning
onto the north slope. It evens up for some time and then gradually
climbs for 0.9 mile to Norway Pass. There is a non-marked junction
there - Independence
Pass Trail #227 goes to the left (south) Exceptional view of
the Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake opens up from this point  .
For the next 0.7 mile the trail climbs in long switchbacks to Bear
Pass. Expect to find wild strawberries in early August on this part
of the trail. The higher you hike up the trail - the better the
views of the Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams and surrounding hills.
At Bear Pass there is another junction - Lakes
Trail #211, that also provides access to Mount Whittier Trail
#214 goes to the right (east).
Boundary Trail #1 continues on to the left (west) providing access
to Coldwater Trail #230,
as well as Mount Whittier Trail #214. In about 0.4 mile the trail
reaches the saddle. On the north side, down in the valley, you can
see Grizzly Lake. For some time the trail follows the ridge then
it turns onto the north-east slope and climbs up for another 0.7
mile. As it reaches another ridge, Mount Margaret comes into view.
The trail turns north and in 0.1 mile brings you to Bear Camp. Mount
Margaret Backcountry Camping Permit is required to camp. Backcountry
toilet and water are available. From the camp the trail continues
climbing for about 0.3 mile to an open slope. You can see Boot and
Obscurity Lakes far in the valley to the northeast.
The
trail turns right and, crossing snow fields, descends for 0.2 to
the junction with Mount Whittier Trail #214. At this time the trail
is closed due to a washout.
In
about 0.5 mile the trail enters the south slope that provides excellent
views of the Mount St. Helens ,
Spirit Lake, St. Helens Lake, Coldwater Peak and Dome Peak. The
trail follows the ridge for another 0.5 mile then descends to a
saddle for 0.3 mile with a great view of Mount Whittier. Another
0.2 mile the trail ascends up the slope with yet anoher exceptional
view of the Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake and St. Helens Lake; and
in another 0.2 mile it brings you to the Margaret Camp. The trail
continues on for another 0.2 mile to Dome Camp.
From
the Dome Camp the trail gradually climbs for 0.2 mile then passes
onto the south slope. Great view opens onto the Mount St. Helens,
Spirit Lake, Bear Cove ,
hummocks, Harris Ridge ,
Loowit Falls, Pumice Planes with Truman Trail, Abraham Planes, Windy
Ridge, Harmony. The trail continues along the slope to the Dome
Peak, descending for about 0.2 mile. As the trail turns onto the
south slope, St. Helens Lake and Coldwater Peak come into view.
The next 1.5 mile is an easy descend along the slope above St. Helens
Lake .
As the trail comes closer to the lake and Coldwater Peak you can
see the remains of the old monitoring sight on the top of the peak
.
The trail reaches the saddle and starts climbing gradually to the
south slope of the Coldwater Peak. In about 0.1 mile there is a
non-marked junction with Coldwater Peak Trail #1G that leads to
the right. The junction is hard to spot. The trail evens up and
in 0.4 mile it reaches a junction with Coldwater
Trail #230 that turns right. Boundary Trail #1 continues on,
leading to the left.
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