Copper Ridge Loop — Sunday, Jul. 1, 2018

Day 1: Hannegan trailhead to Silesia Camp. The first 4 miles were easy enough, although there were several snow bridges that didn't look sturdy enough to cross. One of them in particular was too steep to climb over or go down and around, so we used an ice axe to climb up to the side of it and traverse the steep snow back to the trail.

Once we got closer to Hannegan Pass, the trail became more difficult. The trail was completely covered by snow in some parts, requiring a GPS to navigate. On switchbacks with tree cover, there was less snow, but still some steep parts with snow that had to be carefully crossed. The snow only got worse on the way through Boundary Camp up to Silesia. When crossing Hell's Gorge, we lost the trail a few times due to massive snow mounds. Once we finally got up on the ridge, it was entirely snow covered. I think we were the first ones up there for the season, so there were no footprints to follow. We were able to navigate with a GPS. Several descents required ice axes.

Silesia was completely snow covered, although the bear box was melted. Egg Lake was frozen over but there were puddles on top of the ice that could be used for water.

Day 2: Silesia to Copper Lake. This wasn't our original plan, but we woke up to six inches of fresh snow. The snow continued to fall throughout the day, making navigation difficult. It took almost all day to get to Copper Lake due to losing the trail in snow, poor visibility, and treacherous conditions requiring ice axes. The trail was only melted for small sections here and there, requiring the GPS most of the time. Copper Lookout was still closed, although the toilet was thawed out. The real narrow section leading up to the lookout was snow-free. Tricky descent down to Copper Lake as the switchbacks were all snow covered. Copper Lake itself was mostly frozen, with the drainage beginning to melt. There were two snow-free tent pads, and the toilet and bear box were snow-free.

Day 3: Copper Lake to Indian Creek. More snow fields, snow-covered boulder fields, and sketchy traverses. We lost the trail a lot before we got to the switchbacks leading down to Indian Creek. There was one very steep descent over a snow covered boulder field that required careful navigation with an ice axe. Most of the trail was snow covered. Once we made it to the switchbacks down towards Indian Creek, the trail was snow free and easy to navigate. A few downed trees, but nothing major. About 1/2 mile from the river crossing, the trail becomes overgrown and we lost it. We had to bushwhack the rest of the way to the river through thick overgrown forest with lots of itchy plants. The Chilliwack River was passable in some spots, although it starts out about waist-deep and then gets shallow in the center. Try to find a fallen tree that blocks the current in the deep spots.

On the other side of the Chilliwack, we still couldn't find the trail. We headed towards Indian Creek until eventually found a chainsaw-cut tree that hinted at a trail. The trail leading up to the Chilliwack trail junction was very overgrown. Once hitting the Chilliwack trail, it was less overgrown and fairly easy to follow to Indian Creek Campground.

Indian Creek camp was very buggy. Fires were allowed, which kind of helped with the mosquitoes. There was a toilet. Didn't see any bear boxes. Lots of bear scat on the trail.

Day 4: Indian Creek to Boundary Camp. The trail was visible for most of the hike. The bridges to cross over Indian Creek and Brush Creek were in good condition. I don't know if the creeks would have been passable otherwise. The cable car over the Chilliwack worked great. The option to ford also seemed doable. US Cabin Camp looked to be in good condition. Switchbacks up Hell's Gorge to Boundary Camp were brutal, but we were happy to not have to deal with any snow. Boundary Camp had experienced significant snow melt since we first crossed it. The bear box and toilet were melted, and there was at least one snow-free tent area.

Day 5: Boundary Camp to Hannegan Trailhead. Still several snow fields covering the trail and some snow mounds on the switchbacks. Not too bad. After ascending Hannegan Pass, it was a relatively easy hike back to the car.