HANNEGAN PEAK
An absolutely stunning hike from start to finish! The views from the summit are nearly unbeatable, and the endless wildflower meadows on the way up are nice icing on this scenic cake.
Quick Facts:
Distance: 10.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 3000 ft
Location: Hannegan Pass Trailhead, Mount Baker Wilderness, Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
Season: Mid-Summer thru Late Fall
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Parking Pass: Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass
Check the weather: mountain-forecast, weather.gov
Check for recent trip reports: WTA, AllTrails
Notes: The first couple of miles of this can be extremely brushy – check recent trip reports to see if the trail has been cleared yet for the year. If not, you may risk getting very wet from brushing up against the plants!
Getting there:
Click here for the TH location on Google Maps
The directions to this trailhead linked above are spot on. The 5 miles on the forest road have some small areas of potholes early on, but they are small enough that any car should be able to make it. You’ll find that there’s only a very small parking area, and will likely have to park along the side of the road (as you’ll see, this is because there’s a large washout right before the original, larger trailhead parking lot). Make sure to follow posted “No Parking” signs and only post on the right hand side of the road (as you approach the trailhead).
While you’re in the area, make sure to drive to the end of the Mount Baker highway and visit Artist’s Point and Picture Lake if you haven’t before!
View into North Cascades National Park from the summit, August 2020
Trail leading to the summit, August 2020
Hike description:
Sometimes I feel like a broken clock starting all these hike writeups by saying there are no views for the first half of a hike. But not this hike! Right off the bat you get some great mountain views that only get better the further you hike.
You’ll start by following a small sign to go to the left of the large washout just beyond the cones at the end of the road, which will take you to the real trailhead. For nearly the first 3.5 miles the trail follows the route of Ruth Creek, which you’ll see right next to the trailhead. The trail is basically flat for the first mile before becoming moderately steep for a mile and then flat again until you’re nearly 3 miles from the trailhead. During this portion you’ll have some great views of Mount Sefrit, Nachaktsen Peak, and Nooksack Ridge across the creek, as well as nearly countless waterfalls cascading down their sheer faces. Eventually you’ll gain views of the impressive glaciated Ruth Mountain straight ahead.
At around 3.5 miles you’ll begin to switchback up to Hannegan Pass. Soon you’ll come to a marked intersection with the turnoff to Hannegan Camps to the right. Keep to the left to continue on to Hannegan Pass. After a few more switchbacks you’ll reach some beautiful wildflower meadows that you’ll climb through on your way to the pass – believe it or not, there are even better meadows to come.
Wildflower meadow on the trail to the summit, August 2020
Mount Ruth from the trail, August 2020
View from the summit, August 2020
At 4 miles you’ll reach Hannegan Pass, which to be honest is not very impressive. There will be signs for nearly every destination at this junction except for Hannegan Peak, where we’re headed. Take a sharp left onto an unmarked trail – if you start off paralleling the trail you just took to Hannegan Pass you’re on the right path.
The remaining trail to the summit definitely requires some effort as it gains 1000 feet in just over a mile. However, the views along the way will distract you from how hard you’re working. First you’ll come to some of the most beautiful wildflower meadows I’ve ever been in. The flowers themselves are incredible, and with the added backdrop of Ruth Mountain and surrounding peaks it is truly breathtaking.
As soon as you can tear yourself away from the meadows, continue upward and watch the views around you grow. From here you can see most of the rest of the trail wind its way up to the summit. Soon Mount Baker and the backside of Mount Shuksan will come into views, and before you know it you’re at the large summit area and there are mountains as far as the eye can see as well as sweeping green meadows and dramatic rocky ridges. This is truly one of the most incredible summits I’ve been on – enjoy it!!