Independence Pass Trail

Independence Pass Trail 227

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Ranger's Report

Weather

Road Condition

Distance:

3.5 miles one way

Hiking Time:

2 hours

Trailhead Elevation:

4020 ft

Elevation Gain:

700 ft

Season:

seasJuly - mid October

Difficulty:

Moderate - Strenuous

Rating:

Best - Very Good - Good - Fair

Use:

Moderate

Users:

Hikers

Region:

Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument

Maps:

USGS Spirit Lake East
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Printable Topo Map

Permits:

Northwest Forest Pass is required

Driving Directions:

From Seattle take I-5 South to Exit #68 to Highway 12 East. Follow the highway for 47 miles to Randle. Turn right (south) onto Highway 131 South, in 0.7 mile at Y junction take right fork onto Road 25. Follow Road 25 for 18.9 miles and turn right (west) onto FR 99 and follow it for 11.9 miles to the trailhead on the right side of the road.

Trailhead:

Small parking, no water (water is available at Meta Lake trailhead), no restrooms (restrooms are available at Cascade Peaks Viewpoint MP 10.5 or Norway Pass trailhead).

Trail:

July 3, 2002

Leaving the parking-lot, the trail climbs up the stairs and in easy switchbacks reaches Independence Pass Viewpoint in 0.2 mile. Incredible view opens up from here onto Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake and surrounding mountains . An interpretive sign provides explanation on key points of the landscape, as well as the ones that were destroyed by the eruption (the ones you can't see). Across the valley you can see Harmony Trail #224 winding down the hill to Spirit Lake.

From the viewpoint the trail gradually climbs and follows the ridge for 0.6 mile to a junction: to the right - . Independence Pass Trail continues on leading to the left (northwest). This is one the most beautiful trails in the area; it allows you to have the best view onto the Mount St. Helens, Spirit Lake (especially it's northeast shores) and the results of the mud slide impact on this side of the lake. From the junction the trail continues to climb above the lake and in about 0.9 mile it reaches a cliff, with another beautiful view . The trail makes a sharp turn to the right (north). The next 0.3 mile is quite challenging due to the fact, that this area is a subject of frequent mud slides. The trail passes impressive cliffs that rise high above it , as well as Tephra's Pinnacle (named after FS employee's daughter who was born at the time when the trail was constructed) below the trail . As the trail leaves the slide area, it makes a right turn and gradually climbs for about 0.3 mile, then it evens up. You can see Mount Margaret, Norway Pass and Spirit Lake from here. In about 1 more mile the trail reaches a junction with Boundary Trail #1.

A loop can be made by turning right (southeast) onto the Boundary Trail and following it for one easy mile to Independence Ridge Trail #227A. Independence Ridge Trail #227A connects with the Independence Pass Trail #227 about 0.8 miles from the Independence Pass Trail trailhead.