[Gimpilator]

Michael and I set out to climb Copper Mountain in the North Cascades and visit the lookout along the way. I estimated it would be something like 23 or 24 miles so we needed an early start. Why not make the most of it and hike during the lunar eclipse?

Michael near Egg Lake junction

Icy, Ruth, Shuksan

first view of Copper Mountain

We camped at the Hannegan Pass trailhead and got up at 3am. By 3:30am the total eclipse was nearly complete (sorry, my camera sucks at low level light). By 3:50am we were hiking up the trail by headlamp. Some clouds had rolled in blocking the second half of the eclipse cycle.

first light on Shuksan

Blum

Egg Lake

We hiked over Hannegan Pass and down into a basin and nearly made it over to the Egg Lake junction before there was full daylight. We were delayed on several slopes by plump berries. It was surprising that there were still so many berries that hadn't yet spoiled.

We reached the lookout and were surrounded by incredible views. I stashed a liter of water there for the return trip. I had carried 4 liters anticipating a sunny day, but it turned out to be overcast all day except for a 40 minute period.

lookout location

Copper and Point 6855

Copper Mountain was still a long way away. We followed the trail to the next point on the ridge and then contoured around the west side by crossing talus. North of Point 6160+ we found a very well established boot path and we followed that north along the ridge, passing Copper Lake.

Luna and Challenger

Redoubt and Bear

Copper Lake

Redoubt and Moxes

Moxes and Bear

Ruth and Shuksan

northwest of Copper Lake are two humps on the ridge which have some dense trees to pass through. The boot path becomes sporadic beyond these humps. The next obstacle was Point 6855. There is some minor scrambling to go over this point, but traversing around looks like a much bigger hassle.

Copper and Point 6855

scrambling up Point 6855

Copper from Point 6855

Middle Peak

Lindeman

North of Point 6855 we descended some yellow granite scree, reminiscent of the Golden Horn area. Finally we came to the last bit of ascent up to Copper. This part of the ridge is blocked by dense clusters of small trees. The best way to bypass the trees is to stay along the northeast edge of the ridge. There is some exposure, but the going is not difficult.

Michael on the summit

the long ridge we followed

Shuksan

Pocket, Slesse, Rapid

Tomyhoi, Larrabee, ABP, CBP

Challenger

Half way up the final ridge we encountered a single class 4 move, but on the way down we found it could be avoided by traversing to the west.

summit register

Rexford, Middle, Lindeman

my footwear

summit

On the summit we found a recent Fay Pullen register, but there was no pencil. Michael displayed his ingenuity by burning the tip of a chopstick and using the charcoal to sign in. We left that in the register for use until someone brings up a pencil.

Bear and Tradition

ptarmigan

ptarmigan

Mineral

Our overall trip time was 15.5 hours, but I spent at least 40 minutes eating berries (almost made myself sick), and we were also on the summit for a half hour.

Ruth alpenglow

[Michael Lewis]

Beautiful photos Adam! I like the panoramas especially. Here's some of mine:

Ruth at night

moon no longer eclipsed

The trail less traveled by

The scramble we avoided on the way out

Making a writing device

Moxy Roxy

alpenglow on Ruth

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[iron]

looks like those glaciers sure need some snow right about now! good looking trip.

[fourteen410]

[Magellan]

Excellent call on location. Damn near a marathon in distance.

[Jetlag]

What a great way to see the lunar eclipse! Completely fogged out where I was. Blazing foliage!

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Looks like a great trip. Nice pics. The fall colors are really popping in various areas, you found a great place to enjoy the show.

[Matt]

Impressive idea for a trip. Looks great.

[Redwic]

I am very happy that you were able to squeeze this goal of yours into this year. And what great colors to enjoy, too! Your TR will help inspire me to visit Copper Mountain (true summit) in the future. Thank you for sharing.

[Yana]

[Fletcher]

Nice!

[Gimpilator]

[Michael Lewis]

I had brought top ramen and was planning on eating it at the trailhead and forgot to take them out of my pack. It really worked in my favor.

[Roly Poly]

Beautiful colors! I need to get rid of my job and hike more.

[Chico]