Copper Ridge Loop, Hannegan Pass and Peak & Chilliwack River — Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020

Arrive Saturday 8/1 ~10 am @ Hannegan TH. Multiple cars parked along side of road, but thankfully turnaround at the end of road was open for me to turnaround and find parking spot. I parked, not realizing it was next to a bunch of bee boxes. I didn't get stung, but was nervous by 100s of bees buzzing around.

Day #1 (Saturday): Hannegan TH to Egg Lake Camp: Trail weed whacked, so not overgrown. Water sources (creeks) cross trail prior to first camp. Water @ 2 camps prior to NPS boundary, where you need to a permit to camp beyond. Before Egg Lake there were a few snow patches to walk through, but no big deal! Egg Lake appears to have 3 camps (all occupied), 4 tent plots, 2 toilets, and 1 bear locker. Mosquitoes were bad! I used lake outlet to refill water, which had bubbles pooled up in it from the girls using soap in the lake the night before. 

Day #2: Egg Lake to Indian Creek: More elevation gain up to Lookout where the views are phenomenal. Trail in good shape. Bugs weren't bad at lookout. Snow patches after lookout, before Copper Lake (not hard to cross). Past Copper Lake there were a couple streams to fill up. There was one snow field that I was warned about (and think at least one person fell based on a prior trip report I read). I followed rock cairn, not realizing it was below trail. I crossed snow here (then cut up to trail). No microspikes required. I'm weeny when it comes to heights and steep slopes, but found this this crossing wasn't a big deal. My knees are sensitive, so I was worried about switchbacks/drop down to Indian Creek, but the switchbacks/substantial elevation down to Indian Creek was fairly gradual and not a knee killer. The trail is overgrown along switchbacks down and as you approach Indian Creek and Indian Creek camp. As you approach Indian Creek, look for pink ribbons to keep you oriented where the trail is and where to ford Indian Creek. Keep your water shoes on after first crossing because a bigger one is shortly after the first. The second crossing was deeper (~knee deep or less for 5'6" person) and faster moving, but i never felt like I was going to get knocked off my feet. I was more worried about how cold my feet were half way across. I saw 7 salmon trying to swim (not very successfully) upstream. Indian Creek camp: 3 camp sites (but 4 groups trying to camp there, guessing 1 was illegal without permit) w/fire rings and toilet. Easy water access across trail.

Day #3: Indian Creek to Whatcom Pass: Let the jungle, bush whacking & climbing under/over trees begin :( Multiple sections of the trail were overgrown. Trail in need of a weed whacker! The worst parts were past the junction along trail that parallels Bush Creek. I slipped on a few rocks that were hidden below the bushes. Before Graybeal camp there is a log with arrow drawn on it. Cross creek here then look for rock cairns to get idea of where the trail goes as you weave through multiple down trees. I stopped at Graybeal camp (at least 2 campsites) for snack. Flies were annoying (except at the lookout on Copper Ridge and Hannegan Peak, if it wasn't flies pestering me, it was darn mosquitoes - I wore bug hat daily). More bushwhacking and elevation gain past Graybeal camp. Streams cross the trail, so you can fill up if needed. Whatcom Camp: 3 campsites, composting toilet, and stream to get water. I was only group camped here. After setting up camp, I hiked up to Whatcom Pass where I made dinner and enjoyed views of Beaver valley and up close view of glaciers on Mount Challenger. Mosquitoes were relentless. 

Day #4: Whatcom Pass to Copper Creek Camp: Backtrack and enjoy the bush whacking back down to the trail junction with Chilliwack River trail.  Part of Chilliwack River trail were overgrown, but not as bad as trail up to Whatcom camp. Instead of fording Chilliwack River (possible at current level), I used cable car. If you don't have help getting into cable car, be careful. As I was getting in, it started to slide away from platform. Since there wasn't another group waiting, I sat in cable car above the river and enjoyed the view and look (unsuccessfully) looked for more salmon. I didn't use gloves and my hands felt fine. It's a bit of a arm workout pulling one's self across. On other side, a big ladder leads up to platform. Copper Creek has campsites on both side of creek (3 up to right and ~2-3 more on other side). I think there is toilet on both sides of creek. Campsites are pretty spacey, at least the one I had was. Fire pit area away from tent area. Flies were annoying (maybe its because I was in need of a shower).

Day #5 (Wednesday): Copper Creek camp to TH w/side trip to Hannegan Peak: Met Ranger at camp before leaving. Stream crossing to fill up with water. More beautiful flowers! Arrive back at Hannegan after more elevation gain. There was one tent setup at Boundary camp. I continued to junction with Hannegan Peak trail. I dropped my pack and took side trip up to Peak. There were 3 tents setup. Still some snow patches that you could use to melt for water, but I don't think these snow patches will be around much longer. If you plan to camp, expect to carry enough water. The ~1 mile trail is steep, but WORTH IT! I really loved views from lookout and Whatcom Pass, but I Hannegan Peak was my favorite. Besides campers, a fair amount of day hikers present. Left paradise to backtrack back to TH. There was at least one group campsite ~4 miles from TH. As I always hope, I arrived back at car to find all 4 tires still inflated and no broken windows.