trips - North Cascades/Whatcom Pass

Trip Info

Dates: 8/28 - 9/1/06
Trip Organizer: Aussie
Location: North Cascades

Number of Attendees: (view all)
4 yes
0 maybe

Description

Location
- in the north part of the North Cascades National Park
- area is NE of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan, not too far from the Canadian border
- trip may be referred to as Hannegan Pass/Copper Ridge/Chilliwack River/Whatcom Pass
Stats
- 45 miles, 10,500 elev gain (excludes side trips)
Maps
- Green Trails : Mount Shuksan #14, Mount Challenger #15
- Trails Illustrated : North Cascades National Park #223
Attractions
- one description : "nowhere is the rugged beauty of the NC on better display than it is here"
- possibly (if repaired) a manually operated one-person cable-car river crossing (there is also a ford for those afraid of heights)
- close-up views of at least two glaciers : Redoubt and Challenger
- views of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan
Challenges
- permits are required and cannot be obtained any earlier than the day before
- limited number of tent sites limits group size to 8
- to improve chances of getting permits planning to start on Monday 8/28
- if possible, share 2-person tents to increase the permit options
- we�ll need to be flexible : may need to do the trip in reverse if permits are a problem
Skill level
- this will be strenuous : parts of the trail are described as 'rugged'
- there is the possibility of snow travel so experience with an ice axe is desirable
- be prepared for snowfall
- black bears are common : bear canister is recommended but not required
- there is a possibility of grizzlies in the area

The trip is a 'partial' loop trip � the first five miles we travel back down on the way out, and the trip up to Whatcom Pass is a side trip in that we go up to it (5.2 miles) and then back to rejoin the loop.

A proposed itinerary
Day 1 : start at trailhead, camp at Egg Lake (5173ft), 8.3 miles, 3300ft elev gain. Recommended side trip up to Hannegan Pass for an additional 2m (r/t) and 1100ft gain.
Day 2 : continue up the trail to camp at Indian Creek camp (2352ft), 11.6 miles, 1900ft gain
Day 3 : Whatcom Pass camp (5055ft), 7.9 miles, 2700ft gain. Side trip up a ridge (climber's boot path) on Whatcom Peak, 2m r/t, 1200ft gain
Day 4 : US Cabin Camp (2595ft), 7.2 miles
Day 5 : out, 10.1 miles, 2600ft gain

There are other campsites besides the ones listed but the mileage of the proposed itinerary seems reasonable to me. There may be snow on the trail but according to the ranger I spoke with today (8/14) it won't require an ice axe. The ranger also indicated it will be a popular trip at this time since everyone has been waiting for the snow to melt, so we'll need to be flexible. We'll meet early on Mon 8/28 and finish later on Fri 9/1.