Closed - Drove to the trailhead this morning, only to find a sign that read "Road Closed".

I wish they had put up that notification on 542, so hikers wouldn’t be so disappointed after navigating so many potholes to the parking lot, but ending up with nothing for their effort. We went to Ptarmigan Ridge instead. It was very cold, but the views were spectacular.

My first trip to Hannegan was on 9/19/2024. I'm not an experienced hiker. The first part, from the parking lot to the pass, was considered easy, but from the pass to the peak was the most difficult section I've hiked so far. Maybe it felt harder because we did it continuously without many breaks. It would have been easier if we’d taken more time to enjoy the scenery, but we were in a rush. That’s my excuse for finding it challenging. On the other hand, an 85-year-old hiker went ahead of me to the top. Can you imagine that? I hope I can be like that 27 years from now

Edited on 9/28/2024: According to our beloved lead, the sign said "the trail would be closed 9/23 - 9/27.  When I got home I checked the forest service web page and there was no mention of trail closure."

Super great hike. Was definitley on the harder side with the elevation gain and distance, but definitley doable. Throughout the hike there were awesome views of the Nooksack Ridge and Ruth Mountain from the start along a steady incline up. Once reaching a 4-way intersection, the climb really starts to the peak--super steep but there were huckleberries everywhere so that helped with moral support 😋 made it to the top around 3. From the top of the peak, it was super windy so had to don on puffer jackets, but you got great views of Ruth Mountain, Shuksan, and Mount Baker, along with the valley and neighboring mountain ranges. Left the peak at 4 and the hike back down was a little rough on the joints due to the incline, so be wary of that for those more sensitive. But managed to make it back to the trailhead before unset at 7 no problem. No bugs, trails were in good conditions, and the 5 mile road to the trailhead was unpaved and full of potholes, but was manageable.

The logging road is about 5 or 6 miles most of the road is OK, but the parts that are not have really bad out holes. The road is washed away towards the end about 1/4 mile are so. It's blocked off your half to walk from there. You start out about 2800 ft. The first 4 miles is pretty easy gradually getting to about 4000 ft. But then you go up from there it's it's very steep and hard to the end to air 6000 ft. Lots roots and rocks. The top is amazing,a 360 degree view well worth the effort it takes to get there. Total miles 12 miles.

THE HIKE. Not to be missed.  I've met Bellinghammers whose favorite Mt. Baker area hike is Hannegan Peak. It's not a hike of paying long dues in a forest. The views over the hike contrast with those of Clarence Thomas over time: they evolve. Begin with Ruth Creek and the dramatic steep Nooksack Ridge. Views to Nooksack Ridge grow more dramatic, Ruth Mountain grows bigger in the distance. On through some (not overly much) forest, to the Pass and its view.  Then the steeper wind, some meadow, the looks over to that massive piece of rock that is Ruth Mountain. A last push to the top, where all the great views await. Clouds obscured the distance and some of Baker on our day -- still great. A good spot for binoculars. We enjoyed 2 hours on top.

FIRE. Alas, not so rare now to see a fire in your hike views. On a slope maybe halfway down in the basin east of Hannegan Pass, there was a seemingly small fire (see photo), which evidently was nontrivial. With binoculars, we could make out four workers around it. A helicopter visited several times to drop water (from an orangish contained dangling on a rope well below the copter). Hitting the fire seemed to be a challenge, but after a couple tries the copter was nailing it. 

WATER/TEMPS. There is a spot a little over 3 miles in where good clear water flows down, now in quantity modest but sufficient to collect in a nalgene before sterilizing. The forecast high was 61 -- overall, quite nice. Cooler would have been even better, hotter would have detracted. 

THE ROAD. There are abundant potholes on the dirt road to the TH.  They are not large (any car can get through), but they are deep enough to shake a car, and sometimes become visible suddenly. I just went slowly and slowed way down as needed, rolling rather than rattling through the potholes. 

PEOPLE. On this Tuesday after Labor Day, we met 8-10 groups (of one or two), several going back to parking as we were going up. We were the only day hikers. 

AFTER. On the (long) drive home, we enjoyed a good pizza at the Ninth Chair in Glacier. A restaurant and sports bar. (On one screen, a Texas Ranger hit a walk off grand slam on a full count. On the other, the Mariners kept striking out.) Kitchen stops taking orders at 8pm. 

Wow, this one might be making it into my top 10 hikes list, absolutely stunning!

Road/Trailhead
I arrived at the trailhead at 6:45am. It was 3/4 full with a few spots left. Overnighters were already parked a little ways down the road, so it's going to be full very quickly at any given time.

The road itself is rough. 70% smooth gravel just bumpy, but the rest is heavily potholed and the potholes are DEEP. I am not sure how a low clearance car would get past some sections. I didn't see any low clearance at the TH. It's probably possible with some very careful wheel placement. But a lot of these potholes are deep enough to bottom out a sedan.

The trailhead itself is the washout right before the old trailhead. The bathroom is open, clean and stocked with TP.

Trail to Hannegan Pass

This trail really has great views almost the entire way. The first 3-4 miles climb gently up the valley and the views of the mountains are stunning. First the views of Sefrit and then Ruth once you get far enough down the valley. This part of the trail is really nicely graded and easy going. You could just hike a few miles up this section to get some great views if you didn't want to do a longer hike, they'd be worth it on their own.

70% of the climb up to the pass is sun exposed so be advised. There are some stretches in the trees but not many and they don't last long.

The Summit

The climb up the valley is gorgeous, but the final mile up to the summit is worth it as the views become truly other worldly. Only when you are at the top do you get the full views of Mount Baker and Mount Shucksan (among others)

I was the first to summit, and behind me a couple of other hikers soon followed. There is a lot of space up top for privacy and to spread out (stay off vegetation though.

This hike really reminded me of Cascade pass/Sahale arm

The Return

On the way back I encountered people. Some day hikers, but more backpackers. I also encountered 2 horses! Remember that horses have right of way on the trails. Everyone was following really good trail etiquette.

Overall this trail is stunning start to finish, long, but you don't even notice because of the views.