Hannegan Pass and Peak — Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

It was my second trip to Copper Lake and a third trip to Copper Mountain Lookout, having one of the finest views anywhere in the Cascades! You are so close to everything from Redoubt to Challenger to the Pickets, south to El Dorado and Glacier Peak and around to Shuksan, Baker, the Silesia Creek Valley, and the Canadian peaks. The problems were water and bugs, in that order. There are few places in the Cascades where the black flies are worse than the Hannegan Pass Trail. There is no substitute for long sleeves and long pants, even in 80 degree weather. For those who cannot make the time to get to Copper Mountain Lookout, a side trip from Hannegan Pass to Hannegan Peak is a must, especially if you are a photographer. The view is similar what you see from Copper Mountain only Copper Mountain is closer to Mts. Redoubt and Challenger. There is little to report that folks don't already know. Water is scarcer than usual and the flowers are well past their prime, with the exception of an excellent patch about 200 vertical feet below the lookout facing south. It was an irony for me because the first time I went to Copper Mountain in 1972, my father was exactly my age! We met a number of people from a running club in Fairhaven who were running the trail to Copper Mountain!! The lead runner got to Silesia Camp in 1 hr., 49 min.! Don't expect to have these pristine places to yourselves during prime hiking season. However, strange things do happen. The biggest surprise was that we were able to get permits for camping at Copper Lake on Friday and Saturday nights. Not only that, but we had the lake to ourselves for two nights in a row! (However, we could not get Silesia or Egg Lake for a Thursday night. Go figure. . .) The Copper Mountain Lookout is one of the few manned lookouts left. The trail from Egg Lake and Silesia to Copper Lake is well patrolled. Tom, the ranger, was great. If you want some isolation, try running Copper Ridge north from Copper Lake. In season, the flowers are great. Almost no one goes there and about the only people you will run in to are the few coming up Copper Ridge from The Chilliwack (done that before!). The 12 miles back to the car on the last day are exhausting with a heavy pack but this hike is worth it when it comes to scenery and the dramatic beauty of the North Cascades.