Ghost Lake Trail

Moderate · Out-and-back · 4.8 mi round trip · 377 ft gain · 1¾–2¼ hr

Alpine lake

Parkingnot reported today

A solid half-day for most hikers.

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No hiker reports in the last 3 days. Be the first to report here

At this trail

Dogs allowed Northwest Forest Pass Toilets (vault)

Pack it out.

Official pageForest Service › record checked 2026-10-06

Fee$5/vehicle/day or valid Recreation Pass required. On-site payment not available.

RestrictionsMount Margaret Backcountry Restrictions: To protect natural features, pack stock and bicycles are prohibited in the Mount Margaret Backcount

PermitsDay hikes: none. Overnight: wilderness permit.

AreaMount St. Helens and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest › U.S. Forest Service

Officialconditions › · roads › · fees › · permits ›

Rules, passes and closures change. Check the official Forest Service site before you go.

Getting there

Starts at Norway Pass Trailhead · 1 other trail starts here

Navigate to the trailhead: Google Maps · Apple Maps · coordinates 46.30534, -122.08246

Right now

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⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27th, 2026, until further notice: Both directions of SR 504 at milepost 45.0 remain CLOSED at the winter gate for construction to rebuilWSDOT · 15 km · Jul 28 · details ›

⚠ Beginning Monday, April 27, until further notice: Crews are rebuilding the SR 504 Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge over South Coldwater Creek between mileposts 49-49.2WSDOT · 9 km · May 5 · details ›

Fire RestrictionsThere are no current fire restrictions on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Even with lower fire risk please continue to practice safe fire habits: never leave a campfire unattended and make sure it is completely…Forest Service · Sep 18 · details ›

TonightPM36°3%

TueAM54°7%

TuePM42°6%

WedAM59°8%

WedPM45°

ThuAM66°

ThuPM48°

FriAM69°

Partly Cloudy, wind 3 mph · Full forecast ›

Daylight7:25 am 6:22 pm

Air qualityAQI 28 Good

WildfireMckinley fire, 32 km away

Snow0″ snow at Spirit Lake (3,520 ft, 8.8 km away)
Typical year: usually melted out by about Mar 22 · typical peak Mar 4

Snow levelabout 4,500 ft now · 4,500–9,600 ft over the next three days

Cameras

SR 504 at MP 33: Forest Learning Rest Area Center · 24 km ›

No reports in the last 3 days.

All conditions and reports at Norway Pass Trailhead

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