Elevation Gain

3,000.00 ft (914.40 m)

Trail type

There-and-back

Distance

7.00 mi (11.27 km)

Warming hut

No

Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Mount Margaret stands high above the eastern shores of Keechelus Lake and directly across Interstate 90 from the Snoqualmie Pass East Ski Area. The Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary happens to pass right over the mountain's summit, where the views north into the depths of this pristine land are nothing short of spectacular. While this area is no secret for the locals during the summer months, with a pair of snowshoes and some tenacity in colder weather, you can forget about running into any crowds.

This route begins where the plowed portion of Forest Road 4832 ends. In heavy snow years, you can count on a mile of abutting interstate road travel to the bridge crossing at Rocky Run. Your decision to leave the road here will dramatically effect the remainder of your day. Sticking with the road sends you further southwest on an extended tour that switchbacks up the Wolfe Creek Valley to the Mount Margaret summer trailhead. The preferred route shaves miles off by heading due east up the forested slopes along the south banks of Rocky Run. Leave the creek in 0.5 miles as it veers off to the northeast and steer your way into more dense second-growth. A solid eastward bearing will take you up over two logging roads, both offering great views of Keechelus Lake to fuel your motivation.

After passing the second road you'll enter a large clear-cut overspread with new-growth Pacific silver fir where you can look northeast up to Mount Margaret's forested summit. The last leg continues east into thicker stands of fir where you climb up to a ridge crest to meet the summer trail. Follow the trail corridor north around a large promontory to reach a sturdy final pitch to the true summit. You'll feel tall here, with a panoramic view that includes the Stuart Range, Eastern Washington, Mount Rainier, and even Mount Adams on an exceptionally clear day.

Always check weather and avalanche conditions before traveling into the backcountry.