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Trip Report

Copper Ridge Loop — Tuesday, Jul. 6, 2021

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

We completed a three-night, clockwise loop on 7/9, with overnights at Silesia, Indian Creek, and Boundary camps.

The most challenging obstacles were two snow-filled chutes on the way to Hannegan Pass.  The first was easy to cross but might get more difficult as it melts out. You can bypass it by dropping down or going over. The second one involved more of a scramble and might be challenging for some people. It will get better as it melts out.You can read about them in the trip reports for the Hannegan Pass trail.

Beyond that, there were no difficulties. There was intermittent snow starting about 1000 ft below Silesia Camp until we dropped off the ridge, but no problems route finding.  Copper and Egg Lake were not melted out yet. We did not need to use our ice axes or microspikes. 

One camp at Silesia was still snow-covered.

The river ford was manageable (between mid-thigh to waist on a 5'10" person). However, when coming from the ridge side, we did not take a direct course between the trails (marked on either side by pink flagging).  A shallower ford is available about 50 - 100 ft downstream, but you have to bushwhack back to the trail. Most of us took this route.

Indian Creek was in good shape. The trail beyond was heavily overgrown and berry-filled. The cable car was operating smoothly, but it might be easier to just do the ford, depending on conditions. All other bridges are in.

US Cabin Camp looks like an amazing place to stay. Boundary Camp was fine, but the bugs there are a little heavy.

It's definitely a great time to do the route now!

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