After a short ramble here last week, a longer walk along beautiful Hannegan trail was in order. Today I barely began walking on the trail, when a good sized black bear ambled across the trail in front of me. Trilliums in the woods, yellow violets, and bleeding hearts line the trail. Lilies are pushing through the avalanche debris, along with large whorled leaves of another meadow plant. The rugged peaks of the Skagit range, and Mt Sefrit, and Nooksack ridge guard the walk. Sun, and wind chasing each other among the peaks, thunder rumbling in the clouds, and thunder from the avalanches tumbling down steep cliffs across Ruth Creek added to the experience. Rain, sleet, hail, and snow moving up the valley caught up with me, a trail side boulder gave me shelter. Anywhere along the trail is a good place to contemplate clouds, rock cliffs, and waterfalls. Ah , and three mountain goats ambling along rock cliffs above one of the snow fans at a stream crossing..... Small streams gurgle, and bubble along crossing the trail, and running down it in places. A good day to get a touch of wildflowers blooming, mountains to gawk at, and wild life along the way.

Road was bare until 1/4 mile from trail head, snow on road quickly deepened. Sun peaked through the clouds for some nice photos and the snow was firm so neither YakTraks nor snowshoes were needed. The trail definitely have avalanche dangers -- after 2-3 miles you will hit a debris wall across the side of the valley. Wall was up to 15' high and almost 150' across. Several avalanches appeared to have happened. Made it over the debris but then felt rain falling and with warming temperatures I thought it would be best to beat a retreat since I was not carrying an emergency transponder. My wife had been told that this trail from safe from avalanche dangers --- another urban myth shattered.

With both of us being North-Wet natives, we do not believe in fair-weather hiking (or snowshoeing), so with the rain coming down we headed up towards Baker planning to stop and snowshoe when the rain turned to snow.... well, we hit the Ski area and it was 38F. We decided to head back to Hannegan road (Twin Lakes Road was closed). and headed up it. About a click past the Goat Mt trailhead we hit sheet ice on the road and parked instead of chaining up. Slipped into rain ponchos, gaters, YakTrax, etc and started hiking. About a hour later we were at the trail head -- no one there. Log book showed two parties in last 10 days only. Snow was deep, wet and soft -- snow shoes or skis are definitely required. Temperature was 38F. No signs of any vehicles making it there for a while, all of the other parties hiked in. The hills were alive with the sound of avalanches (small ones) from the warm temperatures and heavy rains. Lovely outing. Back to Maple falls for some gluten free soup at Harvest Moon Bakery (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvest-Moon-Bakery/213725893317?ref=mf) to warm us up. Rain gear worked well and kept us warm.

A gorgeous hike. The road to Hannegan Pass was cleared just a couple of days before our trip. On the trail itself, a WTA crew was doing yeoman work cutting back brush and building a navigable path across the avalanche debris on the first part of the hike. The snow/debris was a little slippery in places, but not difficult to traverse. Other than the snow and a couple of minor blowdowns, the trail was in fine shape, although you could certainly tell the difference between the parts the crew had cleared back and the parts that remained brushy! The trip out was cool and grey, which kept the bugs almost completely at bay. On the way back, the sun started to bring the flies out. There were plenty of ripe salmonberries, and the huckleberries are just starting to ripen. The WTA crew reported seeing a bear across the valley, and we saw plenty of bear sign along the trail. Hannegan Camp is near Ruth Creek, a lovely mountain stream, and there couldn't be a more idyllic place to pump water of a summer evening. Saw a couple of mule deer and heard grouse. Plenty of marmot and pika calls along the trail, and I actually saw a pika dart across the trail on the hike out.

We arrived at the start of the forrest service road that goes to the trailhead only to discover that the road was closed for repairs. Se we had to hike in 6.5 miles in order to do the 4 mile hike to Hannegan Camps and Hannegan Pass. At about .5 and 1 miles after the trail head there were two avalanche debris fields with snow underneath. They are fairly easy to cross. The hike was breath takingly beautiful with beautiful views of the adjacent ridge. However, the biting flies were the worst I have ever experienced. They drove us crazy. I loved the hike but the flies were just to annoying to overlook.