Snow free to the camp ground then spotty snow to the pass. A couple of rotten trees brought down by snow slides partially blocking trail after the camp ground,easy to get around.

Overall, from trailhead to Copper Mt. Lookout, this was one of the best-maintained trails I've been on this year. Weather was excellent, if windy, and the views spectacular. Camped at Hannegan Peak, and then at Egg Lake the next night. Egg Lake campsites appear to have been recently renovated. If I had to do it over, I'd probably camp at the Silesia Camp instead of Egg Lake, as you have to drop from the ridge to get to the lake, while Silesia stays on the ridge. The lookout was closed, but hawks were guarding it, as were plenty of ladybugs. Pictures of hike at http://photos.yahoo.com/keven_elliff. Click on ""Copper Ridge""

The trail up to Hannegan Pass has a few muddy spots but is otherwise in good condition. The trail up to Ruth Arm is another matter. In particular, the section ascending the steep heather slope is nothing more than a 1'-wide rocky gully with water streaming through it. A lingering snowpatch between the bench at the top of the heather slope and the saddle on Ruth Arm was firm enough to require crampons. From Ruth Arm the trail is in perfect condition all the way to the glacier. The views of Shuksan and Baker were outstanding. The ascent of Ruth was quick and easy - perhaps 20 minutes from the base of the glacier. Minor crevasses were well off-route and therefore easily avoided. Snow at the bottom of the glacier required crampons. Snow near the summit was very soft but fine for walking. I could go on and on about the views so let me just mention the best - the Nooksack Cirque is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen in the Cascades. I descended the climbing route. Round-trip distance was about 12 miles. Total time was 8 hours (including 1 hour on the summit).

Headed up to one of the most beautiful places in the world with my family for a few days. If you've never been to Copper Ridge before, start packing now and head up there before the snow comes! As far as views go, you can't beat this hike. 360 degrees around you of the Mt. Baker, Shuksan, Pickets, Redoubt, Ruth and tons of others. Bring lots of sun tan lotion and warm clothes, because at night it can cool down. It is a 4 mile hike from the parking lot at Hannegan Camp to Hannegan Pass. Once at the pass you head down towards boundary camp (1 mile), and then take the trail up to Copper Ridge. It's another 3 miles up to the ridge and camping, but well worth it. A great day hike from Hannegan Pass is to go up to the top of Hannegan Peak, where the views are just as good. It is only another mile from Hannegan Pass. Trail was in great condition. We went during the week so we didn't see too many people!

We (Dave, Doerte, and Mike) arrived at the little campground at the Hannegan Pass Trailhead, at 3,100’, a little after dark and setup camp. Our goal was Mount Ruth, at 7,106' and Icy Peak, another mile to the south, if the day went good. By sunrise it was raining, which proved to be an omen for the day. The trail follows the north side of the very scenic Ruth Creek Valley, ascending gradually up to Hannegan Pass at about 4 miles. The sound and sights of water and waterfalls was continuous the whole way up to the pass. It was hard to believe this was the end of August. The amount of snow and rushing water made it look more like late May than August. Just before the pass are some excellent campsites. Hannegan Pass is at 5,066'. A party a couple of summers ago encountered a bear at this place! The guide says to just locate the climber's trail and head up steeply. At this point with almost no visibility on this August Saturday, we wound up following a trail around the front of the big hump instead of directly up through the Heather to Mount Ruth. The talus became very steep and loose, so we went down a big gully to the campsites below. Here we found another trail through some steep meadows that eventually gave out as well. Wondering how such a simple walkup could turn into a major bushwack we rested and had lunch and enjoyed the meadows, flowers, and rushing water. We had been on two different trails and both had faded to nothing. Although it had quit raining and the clouds had lifted a bit, we still could see nothing much over 6,000'. We decided to go for the sure thing of Hannegan Peak, about 6,100', and save Mount Ruth and Icy Peak for a day when the views of Shuksan and Baker were good. On the way up Hannegan Peak the clouds lifted a bit briefly. With the help of another climber, who decided the weather was too bad for the mountain, we saw our route up the steep side of the hump that we missed in the morning. What was impossible in the fog was clearly evident when out of the clouds! We also saw a party follow our off route path, only to come back an hour later, to gain the correct route. The trail was fine to Hannegan Peak, and the views below us wonderful. We could see nothing above us. We had glimpses of the mountains to the north to the Canadian border, and promises of many fine hikes to come. Dave took some great pictures with his digital camera to remind us we have to come back as soon as a high pressure system builds over Washington. We arrived back at the trailhead at 6:00 p.m. 10 hours, 14 miles, and about 4.000’ gained in our journey through the fog. The Hannegan Pass Trail is in excellent condition.