Since this is a climbers trail for people that are attempting to climb Mount Shuksan, it is not a very well maintained trail. What a lot of people don't know is that the views from the highpoint are worth all of the struggling and sweat as you hike up into this remote area. The first mile is hiking along an old forest road that is narrow and very brushy, so if you hike in the early morning, prepared to get wet and wear gaiters on your feet if you got them.
Once you exit from the brush and access the dense forest, the hike begins to climb up towards the ridge and the views start to open up. Lots of downed timber, mud holes, and some detours will help you gain the ridge. Once you reach about 4500 feet, you start the hike along Shannon Ridge and enter the alpine zone. Vast views of Mt Baker and border peaks cover the horizons. If you look up and Northeast you can see a portion of the Lower Sulphide Glacier on Mt Shuksan. The ridge zig zags here and there until you reach the National Park Boundary where there are some great spots to stop and have lunch and gaze out on the glacier covered peaks of the North Cascades. More images at www.questalb.com
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