Shannon Ridge, Mount Shuksan — Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018

Shannon Ridge is great, but the Mount Shuksan trail beyond the boundary marker is even better!  There is a pass 400' above the end of the Shannon Ridge trail with spectacular views.  Be sure to put in the extra effort because pictures are not sufficient for the spectacle.

There is no water on last three miles of the Shannon Ridge trail, but there are snowfields at the pass above.  Clean snow is safe.  I scraped away the top layer, and scraped piles of snow that I put into my new hydration bladder that has an extra-large port.  The warm water remaining in the bladder melted the snow quickly, and I had a full bladder of cold water.  Perfect!

The Shannon Ridge road is better than most TH roads.  The trail is easy for the first 2.5 miles.  The next half mile is steep and full of roots.  When you reach the ridge, the final mile is up and down.  The pass trail is steep and rocky, but worth the extra effort.

There are ripe blueberries everywhere on the ridge.  There are many species of wildflowers blooming.  And the butterflies are abundant.  It doesn't get much better.

About five groups of climbers summited Shuksan yesterday.  I captured two of them approaching the summit in the afternoon.  I met them on their way back to the TH in the evening.  I'm not a climber, but I think I might be if I were 50 years younger...

Sunset was beautiful last evening. 

The first time I hiked Shannon Ridge, I vowed to return and go higher.  I am extremely glad that I remembered my previous decision.

Stats: 8.2 miles, 2,900' of elevation gain.  A fantastic, moderate hike.