Shannon Ridge — Friday, Aug. 1, 1997

North Cascades

The first one to two miles (on old logging road) are much improved, showing signs of Mountaineer trail work party I understand took place last year, with lots of good drainage and brushing. Once you leave the old clear cut and get into the heavy timber (ca. 3500-4000 ft) it changes to roots, mud, bugs, and blowdowns. Atop the ridge at 4500 ft there is still some snow on the trail, and a few places badly flooded, one stretch in particular of about 50 feet which is under up to 10 inches of water and in need of a major drainage improvement. Essentially all snow covered from mid-way across the ridge, through the col, to the Glacier. We summited Shuksan on Sunday, and found that in spite of nearly 20 folks from various parties in the gully at the same time, the dreaded rockfall problem was a non-issue. Everyone wore helmets, but when everyone is reasonably careful there is no need to be paranoid about this route like some reports make it out to be.