[Sadie's Driver]

If it was solitude Sadie was seeking this weekend - she picked the wrong destination. She's got her out of town cousin staying for 3 weeks while the owner is off enjoying the wilds of Australia (that would be daughter #2). Clover is a cute little bugger and just full of it - runs poor Sadie ragged. Heck Clover is only 7 months old! Sadie is a "mature" soon-to-be 8 year old. So, the two checked the hiking books and picked Hannegan Peak - with an overnight at the trailhead and then a second hike on Sunday to Yellow Aster Butte. It was a last minute decision - late on Friday night. Trail Pair, Hiker Jim and the driver just couldn't decide what to do - with Clover along we weren't sure what she could handle and how she would do in the snow - and if anything happened to her, the driver would be toast! So, this seemed like a fairly benign option. We left Seattle at 7:00 a.m. When Hiker Jim showed up to load up the car, he was feeling much the same as many of us, given the events of the past week. But we were committed to being out in the mountains we love so much and were so happy to see so many others equally as convinced that the murders of Susanna and Mary should not make us fearful, but even more determined to rejoice in what is so beautiful in the world around us. I was so happy to see several women on the trail this weekend - some hiking alone, some in two's and one larger "take back the trail" group.

A group of about 12 women "taking back the trail" at Hannegan campground

These hikes are dedicated to the spirit and memory of two remarkable women who seemingly wouldn't want it to be any other way. We got to the Forest Service facility in Glacier right at 9:15 a.m. where we met up with Trail Pair. Off we headed to the Hannegan trailhead. When we arrived, there were cars parked down the road even before the parking area - we knew we were in for a full house! The parking lot was full - there were probably 30 cars.

Cars at Hannegan trailhead

This also is the access point to a lot of other trails, such as Ruth Mountain (which we seriously considered adding to our list today - more on that later). But, we were in luck, it appeared that the last available campsite - right by the trailhead was available - so we quickly threw one of the tents up - loaded up our day packs and headed up the trail.

Trailhead to Hannegan Pass and Peak (and to Ruth Mtn.)

Map at trailhead

None-to-soon for Sadie and Clover. They were ready. I'm sure Clover covered the distance of our hike x 3 by the end of the day. We were on the trail by about 10:00 a.m. Didn't really see a lot of people on our way -most were already on the trail or would come later. We stopped for many, many picture breaks - it was soooo beautiful looking up the valley of Ruth Creek and back down it.

Waterfall across Ruth Creek and on the other side of the valley from the Hannegan Trail

Looking west back down the Ruth Creek valley

Before long, Ruth came into view, along with the "arm" - very tempting.

Ruth and Ruth's Arm from Hannegan trail

We made it to the "campgrounds" below Hannegan Pass in good time - the dogs were loving all of the available water along the way - don't know how long it will last, but the snow melt is providing lots of water right now. The trail is muddy in some places - but not bad. There are a few blow-downs you have to scramble over - but again, very manageable.

Two downed trees - minor obstacles on Hannegan trail

Lovely waterfall along the trail

The bugs weren't bad. Lots of them around, but they didn't seem to be in a biting mood. So no deet today. How lovely. The sunny day we were promised was really much more, partly cloudy - but the temperature was lovely - especially for the climb that was to come. The camping area is a nice place - lots of campsites, plenty of water, a cooking area and a lovely little biffy with a view!

Sadie hoping to get lucky at the Hannegan campground

Dining area at Hannegan campground

The biff with a view

View from the biff - Granite Mtn.

Sadie even found a pond to take a quick dip in - Clover wasn't too interested.

Sadie getting in her dog paddle

From the campground to Hannegan Pass is a good climb - not too tough, but it will get your heart beating. At the Pass, there are several ways you can go - south towards Ruth (and up a nasty, rutty, rooty and steep trail to begin), or out toward Boundary, Copper Ridge and beyond to the northeast, or northwest toward Hannegan Peak - our destination today.

At Hannegan Pass

Hannegan Peak trail right at Hannegan Pass

Up we went.

Trail Pair and Sadie on trail up toward Hannegan Peak

Hiker Jim and Bob with Ruth's arm in the background

There was a trip report about two weeks ago that said everything was covered in snow - what a difference a couple of weeks make - the snow as spotty at best - and replaced with acres and acres of gorgeous flowers. It was amazing.

A bunch(!) of Tiger Lilies - 13 on this stem.

Glacier Lilies

Hillside of flowers and flowers and flowers (it was all covered in snow 2 weeks ago!)

Queen's Cup

Wild Rose

Penstemmon and Paintbrush

Lovely combinations of flowers along the trail

Pink Monkey Flower

Columbine

The trail itself is a nice little switchback number - getting steep and straight in a few spots - but nothing anywhere close to a Mailbox Peak steep - as the books would have you to believe (maybe that was the old trail).

Coming down off of Hannegan

Hannegan Peak from the trail (you can see the trail on the left of pic)

Once up on the Peak it's a lovely spot. Plenty of room for camping and since there is still snow around, there would be water.

Summit Sadie on Hannegan Peak

Clover bags the summit of Hannegan Peak

The rag-tag group on the top of Hannegan Peak with Ruth in the background

We could see peaks all around - but because it was so cloudy, we never really did get a clear view of Shuksan or Baker.

Shuksan and Nooksack Cirque

We wandered over and looked at Granite Mountain from the edge of Hannegan - thinking about a scramble that direction - but decided not to.

Granite to the west

Looking back up to Hannegan from below - where we went to inspect the route to Granite

We saw some beautiful, speckled ptarmigan with their babies. After a lovely lunch (Sadie had the audacity of stealing half of Bob's sandwich - that's what he gets for giving her treats - if she thinks she's not getting her fair share, she'll take it! You have to be quick) - we headed back down.

Clover chillin' in the snow!

We had been watching the hordes of people who were doing Ruth today - there must have been at least 18 - 20. It was amazing. It looked like the snow was in perfect condition. We saw perhaps 8 - 10 folks on Hannegan. So, solitude there wasn't! The trip back down was uneventful, but it certainly seemed a lot longer than the hike up. We decided that we probably did about 11 miles and gained around 3300'. We got back to our campsite - set things up and had a lovely dinner.

The Homestead for tonight

Dinner time!

Unfortuantely, a group of guys had decided to share our space with us - which put them about 30' from us. That wasn't so pleasant. Oh well, we had our three tents with Sadie and Clover sharing space with me - a two dog night! They were very well-behaved. Both of them collapsed when they got back to camp - managed to get down some dinner and then hit the sack by about 9:00 p.m.

Clover resting comfortably back at the campsite

Sadie resting comfortably back at the campsite

Lots of other dogs in the camp area, but all were well behaved. To be continued - tomorrow's adventure: Yellow Aster Butte.

[Dayhike Mike]

Great TR and pics...thanks so much for sharing!

[Edd]

Great TR and Pics. Looks like Clover was taking a few pointers from Sadie. Ed

[Sadie's Driver]

[Dean]

Nice, very very nice

[Sadie's Driver]