Hannegan Pass and Peak — Wednesday, Jul. 3, 2024

The Hannegan Pass Road is heavily potholed in places. It took me over 20 minutes each way to cover the 5 miles from the highway. Only one other car at trailhead upon my 4:25am arrival. The clearing weather all the forecasts I had read never happened (at least before my departure around 11:00am). Except for some blue sky and patches of alpenglow on Ruth Mountain (picture below) and Sefrit right after sunrise, there was a complete overcast deck at about 7000 ft and the air was very humid, though cool, even on the return. The trail is snow free up to the Pass (except on simple little stretch). From the Pass to Hannegan Peak, there are about three snow covered trail sections that are easy to follow, but are a bit sketchy in places (at least without poles or traction). Once you reach the trail location where Hannegan Peak itself is visible (the first picture), the snow conditions become much more serious of an undertaking. Since it was so overcast, I passed on the final slog up to the top as I have been there, done that several times before when the weather was much finer. Flushed a bear first during climb above the pass (picture below) and again on descent, this time closer to it and below the Pass (camera was stowed for that one). Same bear??? Flower displays were nice in places. Twelve additional cars at trailhead upon return (I thought there be more, maybe tomorrow).