Easy Ridge by Easy Peak was an exploratory trip in the Picket Range. I had planned on climbing Mount Challenger West Peak this weekend. But, at mile two, I remembered I had forgotten to bring my crampons. Bummer!
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Easy Ridge at a Glance
Access: Hannegan Pass Trailhead
Round Trip: 26 miles
Elevation Range: 2700′-6100′
Gear: helmet, microspikes, snowshoes, ice ax
GPS Track: available
Dog-Friendly: no pets
Hannegan Pass Trail
I slept by the trailhead for an early start but didn’t leave until 10 AM! It was my first time on Hannegan Pass Trail, which some call Pacific Northwest Trail. Just as I had pictured, it was a defined path.
The weather has been great, with a constant view of Ruth Mountain atop the valley. Along the way, small gullies still had snow on the trail. So I carefully walked through those spots, not stepping into any holes.
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Chilliwack River Trail
On the other side of the forested Hannegan Pass was the start of the Chilliwack River Trail. But the path soon faded into the snow. The trail would reappear as I made my way down the switchbacks.
I crossed Hannegan Peak’s snowy, mild east basin. After re-entering the trees past the North Cascades National Park boundary, I dropped more altitude. Then snow faded past the first water gully.
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Crossing the Chilliwack River
Views in the trees were spotty as I bypassed a few piles of down trees. The sounds of several waterfalls en route helped to ease the otherwise uneventful boredom. Then I took a break by Copper Creek near the camp.
Soon, I walked two miles to the hidden trail by a cairn and went down to the shore. Then I carefully crossed Chilliwack River in thigh-high water. On the other side was another marker, which I followed into the trees.
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Easy Ridge Trail
I was able to follow the faint path in the dense forest at first. But I had somehow lost the trail after going through the opening covered in ferns. Feeling frustrated, I went straight up the steep hill over many logs.
As luck would have it, the trail reappeared as I tried avoiding the outcrops! Then I continued on the narrow path up to the 4800′ clearing. But soon, the snow took over the ground again.
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Easy Ridge
I reached the saddle and soon had the first view to the east with Ruth Mountain on the west. But I never saw Mount Shuksan because of the clouds. Soon, I went southbound on Easy Ridge and put on snowshoes shortly.
Not sure how Easy Ridge got its name, but it took lots of sweat to come up here! I couldn’t yet see Easy Peak because Point 5988 was in the way. Then it took forever to climb over the high point in halfway decent snow.
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Easy Peak North Ridge
I went over Point 5988 from the east to avoid the forested west slopes. It had become cloudy earlier, and soon, more clouds rolled into the area. Afterward, I reached Easy Peak’s north ridge at 6200′.
The peak looked quite steep from the north, at least at this angle. I also hesitated to go higher on the slope without crampons. So I put on microspikes, scoped out the terrain, and stopped here.
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Windy Night on Easy Ridge
The wind increased as more clouds rolled in before sunset. Then the mists soon devoured everything in sight and reduced visibility to zero. I later found a dry spot on the ridge and set up camp.
The east wind howled in the early evening and never stopped. Though, I had a restful night despite the constant blowing. It also helped when a few short shrubs shielded the tent from the gusts.
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A Sunny Morning
I woke up early the following day. The wind had stopped before dawn to walk around the ridge while basking in the sun. But clouds later hovered the northern pickets, which I took as a sign to go home.
But I didn’t want to leave yet. It was tough to turn around after knowing how time-consuming it was to come to Easy Ridge. But for now, I was about to lose the hard-earned altitude back to the river.
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Back to Hannegan Pass and Out
Back on Easy Ridge Trail, I carefully followed the path in the forest. Then it took me down to where I had lost it the day before. From there, I found my way back to the shore, where the water level had lowered.
I didn’t see anyone around until the other side of Hannegan Pass. Shortly, I met two hikers by the big snow gully before crossing. Then I cautioned them about the weakening snow bridge before continuing down the valley.
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This is another good translation to Chinese. Good Job!
Thanks for this. I love abandoned trails. On my list for summer.
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