With the Baker highway closing at 8am for the bike race I figured this would be a good time to bag a peak without the crowds. I drove up the rough FR 33 and parked at the trailhead where I was assaulted by mosquitoes. I killed over 2 that day, most at the trail head, but they kept swarming.

The trail is rough and rugged but does not attract the crowds that Skyline Divide gets. I don't think I saw a single switch back. Once out of the trees the mosquitoes leave you alone for the most part.

Cougar Divide provides quicker and easier access to Chowder Ridge and thereby allows you to get to Hadley Peak. Hikers shouldn't venture any further than where the ridge meets Cougar Divide. Chowder Ridge was very steep and exposed the climbers path was pretty much a mountain goat path.

After some painful ankle abuse I reached the south saddle of Hadley Peak. I proceeded strait up loose soil and rock on all fours. After obtaining the saddle, I continued up loose rock to reach the peak. The time from trailhead to summit was 4 hours.

The views were amazing! You could see all major peaks and the view of Baker was jaw-dropping. Even tall buildings from Canada were in sight! I could see lots of people on the Skyline trail, which seems to get some real crowds.

On the way down I decided to try an alternate route for my aching ankles and headed down the north ridge so I could cut through the basin. Unfortunately, the slopes off of the ridge into the basin were extremely steep and exposed. Although I had an ice-axe, I really needed crampons, for in a few places a slip would likely have been fatal. I really cannot recommend anyone to try this.

After hair raising descents of steep snow and rocks I made it to the basin and proceeded toward Cougar Divide. The morraines and ravines that seemed so small at the peak now appeared as mountains and canyons. I skirted above them and after some time made it back to the divide. On the way down from Cougar Divide, I passed just one person going up, the only person I came across the whole day.

Please people! If a car is behind you on a dirt road; use common courtesy and pull over. I don't care is your CRV is brand new, there is no way that your ""car"" can handle a dirt road better than a real SUV. Just swallow your pride and be courteous.

Frank and Marjan met me at my house in kendell about9:AM and we left from Home to head for the trailhead at Couger Devide. We arived about 10:30 and headed up the mudy trail for about the first half mile.Then things changed for the better, the mud turned to rock and dirt and for the next 3 miles it was over the hills and threw the woods,over logs and down some ferly steep spots.The trail is still in fair shape for not being workd on for the last coupel years but still passable.

The weather was clear and the views were grate to say the least Mount Baker and Shuckson were in full view along with the rest of the mounten ranges for about 180 degrees.It was a spectackler day and Frank Marjan and the Hillbilly had a good outing, one to be remembered for a long time

The family and I trudged up to the divide today. Dad with my high blood pressure meds and Mom with her inhaler and the kids kicking butt. Started early to beat the crowds and the temp. was cooler and less bugs. Got up to the divide in about 2 hours, took lots of photos and watched a mt. goat for awhile. After a couple hours of eating blueberries and strolling around the melting snow fields we headed down. Met up with at least 10 folks coming up. Had a great day overall.