I was surprised to see about 10 cars at Norway Pass TH parking lot. A couple of people with backpacks heading out. The side road to Norway Pass TH is off FR99, which passes Meta Lake. You can see it better 10 minutes into the trail.
The trail gains elevation steadily first, not steep, but soon it tapers out. You'll see Spirit Lake an hour in. Still had plenty flowers left, after about 2 weeks of 90+°F weather. A couple of small snow patches near a camping area (saw 2 tents), and a tiny creek. 
Trail can be very narrow, at time, but always dusty and gentle. Girish had trouble getting through this part. Met only a handful of people in our first half of the hike, then it's just us. I really like the last valley as we approach to Mt Margaret. Greener, not as burned as earlier, more true alpine flowers like pasque flower (in seed), paintbrushes, and mariposa lily. Corn lilies were shooting up tall flowering stocks. Also about this time, Traver's boots were getting loose. Ania gave him duct tape to wrap the shoe and sole in place. But one sole fell on the way out.
At the top of Mt. Margaret, 360° views. Rainier, Goat Rocks, Adams, (no Hood or Jefferson -- too hazy), St. Helens. Spirit Lake spread below, and St Helens Lake to the right. Couldn't see any other lakes, but I have passed one ridge that has view of Grizzly Lake and Boot Lake briefly.Overall, a gentle trail. ~11.4 miles RT, ~2200'. I returned to Portland in a different car, because the other car planned to dine in Cougar. Arrived at Gateway at 8pm (it's a 2.5 hour drive). Parisa dropped me close to home. A new Ph.D. graduate from Iran. She is certainly accustomed to the heat. She hiked without hat or sunglasses! 90°F at 9pm. A very stifling night.
