Overall: A very beautiful, albeit very smokey and buggy, hike! Next time, I would bring a full body net instead of long pants/sleeves due to the heat. I would also hope for less smoke from B.C. so we could have enjoyed the views.
- Entire hike was warm enough to leave the tent fly behind.
- Don't forget protection from the flies (Deet doesn't deter them!)!
- It was too smokey for us to see anything, would definitely be better without the smoke, but it was still enchanting.
- We're already planning on doing it again next year with less smoke!
Day 1: Hannegan trailhead to Egg Lake-8.13 miles, 3,735 feet of elevation, ~95F.
- The bugs are terrible from the parking lot all the way up to Hannegan Pass. Biting black flies that are more than a nuisance. Long pants, long sleeve shirt, and/or full body netting are recommended.
- Flies are not deterred by deet.
- Call ahead to the ranger station as they have information about when the most recent generation of black flies have hatched.
- A lot of the way up to Hannegan Pass is exposed, do yourself a favor in the heat and start early!
- Egg Lake was fly free but there were mosquitos. Manageable with Deet.
Day 2: Egg Lake to Indian Creek-11 miles, ~85F
- Limited black flies on the ridge. Just pesky mosquitos.
- Friendly ranger at the fire lookout.
- Too smokey to see ANYTHING.
- Lunch by Copper Lake.
- Flies picked up again on the hike down the ridge into the forested area.
- About 40 blowdowns on the switchbacks down the ridge. However, most are minor and can easily be stepped over.
- Forded the river which is about 3 feet deep at it's deepest and running moderately strong. We scouted a route without packs first and used our poles for balance.
- Trail is very overgrown after the river, but you can still see the trail.
- Keep your eyes on the river as you're walking by, we saw spawning Sockeye salmon!
- Indian Creek Camp was fly free! Yay! Enjoyed a dip in the river and a night in a majestic forest.
Day 3: Indian Creek to Copper Creek-7.87 miles, 2,777 feet of elevation
- Flies got bad again about halfway through this day.
- Many overgrown areas alternating with clearer areas.
- Fun day with a suspension bridge and the cable car. We took a nap on the cable car platform after we crossed because it was fly free!
- Arrived at Copper Creek at about 16:00 and had to stay in our tents until the flies subsided at about 20:00.
Day 4: Copper Creek to Hannegan Trailhead: 7.12 miles, ~2,600 feet of elevation, ~85F
- Left camp at 8AM and the flies were at bay until about 10AM when we were about halfway to Hannegan Pass. We put on long sleeves and long pants.
- Bugs were bad from here all the way to the trailhead.
- Threw all our stuff in the car and peeled out of the parking lot to the ranger station to escape the flies!
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