I hiked the Copper Ridge loop in two days going clockwise, camping at mile ~20 at Indian Creek.
If I had to do this again, I would definitely skip the entire Chilliwack River Trail section. Honestly, I'm not sure why this trail is recommended as a loop unless you intend to go to Whatcom Pass. Descending the ridge to the river is excruciating and your only reward is a thigh-high river ford and a wet, overgrown trail through the woods for the next 14 miles. You can't see anything because the trees are so dense, everything is soaking wet - the trail, the campsites, the ferns covering the trail...
If I come back, I'll camp at Egg/Copper Lake and go back the same way. The upper ridge is spectacular and the lower trail is...not.
Oh - trail conditions are basically fine. A few blow downs on the Chilliwack trail and some overgrown/sloppy trail conditions also on the Chilliwack. I saw a family of bears past Copper Mountain Lookout, they bolted off the trail before I even saw or heard them but they're around. The blueberries are still amazing up high as well (maybe accounts for the bears).
Comments
Jennay on Copper Ridge Loop
Did something happen to the cable car? Why did you have to ford the river?
Posted by:
Jennay on Oct 02, 2020 07:23 PM
master_wanderer on Copper Ridge Loop
Nothing wrong with the cable car. There's a river ford coming down from the ridge and also a cable car. The car is a few miles beyond Indian Creek.
The ford is wet and cold, I did it barefoot and wished I had a pair of sandals.
Posted by:
master_wanderer on Oct 02, 2020 09:52 PM
Jennay on Copper Ridge Loop
I switched from flip flops to these as they were even lighter and great for river crossings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KZ98CJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Posted by:
Jennay on Oct 03, 2020 09:04 AM