Copper Ridge, Copper Lake & Chilliwack River — Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

The Copper Ridge Loop is a classic. I knocked this out with some friends in a very full day, covering the 36 miles or so with a mix of hiking and running. We started around 7 AM and finished right at dark, with breaks at significant points. We went clockwise, in hopes of getting the hardest climbs done early. The trail is clear of snow all the way around, and is reasonably brush free as well, even out by Indian Creek. Plenty of folks were out with backpacks on the Ridge up to the Lookout, perhaps since Highway 20 was closed this weekend. The Lookout was open--we got to check out a number of things with the ranger (e.g. lightning stool, weather devices). The views from the Ridge are spectacular--on a clearer day, they would've even been more impressive, I'm sure, but it was all good. Wildflowers are in full bloom--maybe a week past peaking, but it depends on the section of trail. I noted most of the common alpine varieties, sometimes in abundance--fireweed, lupine, heather, astors, indian paintbrush, astors, etc. Beautiful. Copper Lake after the Lookout magical, cobalt blue with its nice little peninsula. The switchback descent here is special--with every turn, the lake seemed to change color a bit, and look more impressive. Past there, the ridge just kept going, very pleasantly, with that still, quiet air that you find above the treeline in the far backcountry. Along with the great views, there are some remarkable white boulder fields past the lookout. There was a fine peekaboo view of Chilliwack Lake in Canada on the descent down the ridge. There are not a lot of water sources for quite some way past Copper Lake. The descent from there is pretty steady, through the forest--it wore on the quads going down, and was often too rooty to go too fast, but we made good enough time, after all the earlier climbing. Highlight of the day for me: the sockeye are running now in the Chilliwack and Indian Creek. Big red and green ones, in shallow, crystal clear water. Magical. We did two river fords of 30 yards or so each, across each stream. I'm sure the bear are eating good, b/w these and the berries that are out in force. Also, there were two short, beautiful river fords. Here, five miles south of Canada, the trail feels most remote--we didn't see anyone for quite some time. The final 10 miles or so included groves of old growth cedar--the really big ones--plus a jangly bridge, and a very cool cable car ride across the river. The final ascent to Hannegan Pass was a slog for me, but we made the car before nightfall. Next time- I'll probably take it slower, backpack, and camp up high and out towards the northern end.