WE were able to get reservations for Silesia camp and egg lake on Aug 24, but we were lucky. The reservation system is nice, if you can get a reservation, because the sites are nicely spaced and you don't feel overcrowded. However, this makes the Hannegan camps (which don't require a reservation) a tent city, not the greatest. The meadows near Hannegan pass and on Copper ridge were as nice if not nicer than paradise on Aug 11, but paradise hasn't been that good this year. No water between the big stream above boundary camp and egg lake, except for one little trickle a short distance east from Hells gorge which might do in a pinch, but probably eventually dries up. The views from Silesia camp are outstanding and also from the large hill west of Silesia camp. The flies were awful coming up from Hannegan pass, but improved consideably at Hannegan camps and beyond. Did not go beyond egg lake.

With such great weather in the forecast, we decided on a 3 day trip to Copper Ridge. When we arrived at the Glacier R.S. at 8:15AM, both campsites were already taken for Silesia, so we reserved a site at Egg Lake. Silesia has the best views, but Egg Lake is the only water source in the area. It is a very small lake, complete with a pair of coots. Even though we had been up the Hannegan trail 2 months ago, the Fall colors made it enjoyable. From Hannegan Pass it is another 4.5 miles to Egg Lake. After setting up camp, we climbed back up to Silesia for afternoon photos. Day 2 was for exploring Copper Ridge as much as possible. What a beautiful area! We wished we had brought a panoramic camera. To the North is Copper Mt., N.E. is Redoubt and Bear Mt., S.E. is Whatcom Peak, Mt. Challenger, the Picketts, and to the S.W. are Icy Peak, Ruth Mt., and Mt. Shuksan. After a snack at the lookout (which is closed for the season) we dropped down 1,000ft to pretty Copper Lake. About .25 miles north of the lake the trail crosses a nice stream with a small waterfall. Just beyond this stream we headed off trail N-NW, climbing through three terraced basins on good rock and a few steep heather slopes. We were heading for the ridge which runs to Copper Mt. We reached the ridge crest at 6600ft., and picked up the faint boot tread which runs this ridge from near the lookout all the way to the summit of Copper Mt. We continued north on the ridge to the top of HP 6855. We were now at our designated turn around time, so followed the ridge route back to the lookout, and returned to camp. It took only 3 hours to return to Egg Lake, so in retrospect we should have continued to the summit of Copper. Oh well....next time. The hike out today was uneventful, except we did not want to leave Copper Ridge. We passed 4 groups of backpackers on their way in.

Hit the Hannegan Pass trailhead Friday AM under blue skies. The trail to Hannegan Camp (3.5 miles) was narrow with calf thrashing brush and lots of toe stubbing, ankle twisting rock. The ascent to the Pass was pretty exposed with intermittent respite provided by forested segments. Descending the pass I, with my Summer Buddies, spent the first night at Boundary Camp (5 mi.) where, during breakfast the next morning, we spotted a bear forging in a high meadow on the side of Ruth Mt. Our second day's trek began under partially cloudy skies with a pleasant ascent on a forested path to Copper Ridge 1200 ft. above. Upon reaching the ridge, the skies had cleared and the surrounding ice capped peaks were fully in view--incredible!!! Some of our group of set camp at Siliesa while others went on to Egg Lake (the only available water source 300 ft. below). The remainder of the afternoon saw some continuing on a day hike to Copper Ridge Lookout while others sunned themselves lakeside with episodic dunks in the icy waters of Egg Lake. All convened at Siliesa to dine and watch the sunset. Headed out early the next morning while the Ridge was still shrouded in thick fog. What a gift to live in a place where such an experience is so readily accessible. Check it out sometime.

I have wanted to do Copper Ridge for years. It is a long day hike with considerable elevation gain. The Hannegan Pass part of the trail has an uneven rock bed which is tortuous to tender feet that already have hit the dirt for fifteen miles on the way out. One can go as far as they want, we went as far as Egg Lake which is about 9 miles in. The trail was in good shape The only problem was the side brush that got my legs and consequently my feet soaked. The three campsites at Egg were full and there was a dispute over who had reservations. The Ridge is in the N.P. and site reservations can be difficult. The views from the ridge were great. The day was a little cloudy, but Shuksan and the Canadian peaks were in sight. Next trip up, we are going to do an overnighter at copper lake.