Skip to content
Mount Margaret Backcountry permit

Mount Margaret Gear Checklist

What to carry on Mount Margaret, and why. 1 item is written into the permit rules and 7 more are worth the pack space.

8Total Items
1Required
7To bring

What to bring on Mount Margaret

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list. One item is written into the permit rules, and every one of those carries the rule it comes from.

  • Required

    A backpacking stove

    since fires are prohibited

    Permit rule: “No campfires anywhere in the Mount Margaret Backcountry — bring a stove”

  • Bring

    A bear-resistant food canister

    the Forest Service notes most sites have no trees to hang from

  • Bring

    Water treatment

    because every source must be treated and some are seasonal

  • Bring

    Government-issued photo ID, which the permit is not valid without

  • Bring

    The printed permit, displayed on your tent while you occupy the site

  • Bring

    Traction and poles for snowfields, which linger into July

  • Bring

    A wind shell

    the camps sit on open ridge with nothing to break the weather

  • Bring

    A paper map

    since there is no cell service and the trail network is easy to misread

4 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Mount Margaret — the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument rules for this permit are above.

🎒
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
🎒
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
🎒
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
🎒
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
🎒
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Mount Margaret

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Weigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • •Rent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • •Test all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • •Check current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase gear through these links, PermitSnag earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. This helps us keep the lights on and continue building tools to help you get into the backcountry.