Copper Ridge to Big Beaver Trail in North Cascades National Park in Photos

Come for the sheer, glaciated peaks, but be mesmerized by rain-fed waterfalls that pour down on all sides along this weeklong trip in North Cascades National Park.

Kim Phillips

Updated September 5, 2024 04:47PM

Trail Facts

Distance:
Elevation Gain:
Difficulty:

The Route in Photos

Connect Hannegan Pass, Copper Ridge, Chilliwack, Brush Creek, Little Beaver, and Big Beaver trails. Spend the night at Egg Lake, Indian Creek, Whatcom, and Luna camps.

Wooden trail sign for Hannegan Pass that marks the start of the hike in Hannegan Campground. — The route begins at the eastern edge of Hannegan Campground. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

The green mountainsides of Ruth Creek Valley splay their beauty beneath a lightly clouded, bright blue sky. — Views of Ruth Creek Valley spill out before you. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

The imposing Nooksack Ridge stands tall beneath a blue sky and over foliage just beginning to change colors for the fall. — Nooksack Ridge towers over hikers heading to Beaver Trail.

A walk in the woods. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

A small stream waterfalls over lush green moss and plants. — Take moments for the small beauties on your hike to Beaver Trail. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Snow-covered mountains encircled by tall pines make for beautiful views on the way to Beaver Trail. — One of many gorgeous mountain views on this hike. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Trees covered in moss along the trail leading from Hannegan Pass to Beaver Trail. — Furry trees? [Photo by Kim Phillips]

A hiker along dirt singletrack makes his way toward the Chillwack River Valley past bushes bright with fall colors of red and orange. — Heading into the Chilliwack River Valley. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

A thin dirt trail heads up to the cloud- and snow-covered Copper Ridge. — To get to the Beaver Trail, you must cross Copper Ridge first. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Overlook of Egg Lake, a small, turquoise lake surrounded by a 5,694-foot ridge between Copper Ridge and Beaver Trail. — Egg Lake is a small, turquoise lake cupped by a 5,694-foot ridge. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Mountain views from across a meadow atop Copper Ridge. — Stunning mountain views from Copper Ridge. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

The highest peak along Copper Ridge covered in clouds provides stellar clear-day views on the way to Beaver Trail. — The highpoint along Copper Ridge gives hikers the best views of the area on a clear day. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

A hiker steps across the rocky top of the Copper Ridge Lookout Tower. — The Lookout Tower on Copper Ridge is the highest point along the ridge. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

The blue waters of Copper Lake sparkle up from the middle of green pines and mountainous shores. — Copper Lake [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Hiker on a dirt trail looks out over stunning mountain views near Copper Lake. — Majestic mountain views near Copper Lake. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

A dirt trail meanders through green and red brush and offers views of snow-covered peaks in the distance. — More stunning views from Copper Ridge, this time to the northeast. [Photo by Kim Phillips]

Why You’ll Love This Hike

Views

Mt. Sefrit, the highpoint of the Nooksack Ridge at 7,191 feet, rises directly to the south.

Hannegan Pass

Chilliwack River Valley

Silesia Creek drainage

Egg Lake

Copper Ridge Lookout Tower (marks the highpoint of the ridge)

Copper Lake (Kool-Aid blue)

look for finger-shaped Chilliwack Lake, which lies just north of the border in British Columbia

Whatcom Pass (5,206 ft.): The ridge that rises to the south from this small pass tops out on 7,574-foot Whatcom Peak.

Beaver Pass

Permits and Logistics

Permit: Yes. Overnight camping in North Cascades National Park requires a free backcountry permit.

Trailheads: Western trailhead/start: From Marblemount, go 39 miles west on WA 20. Turn right on WA 9 N. In 22 miles, turn right on WA 542 E. In 32 miles, bear left on NFD 32. Go 5.3 miles to Hannegan Campground trailhead.
Eastern trailhead/end: From Marblemount, drive east on WA 20. In .9 mile, turn left on WA 20 and go 28 miles to Ross Dam parking pull-out.

Shuttle: Ross Dam to Hannegan Campground. Mountain Transporter, $425 (up to four people), (509) 996-8294; methownet.com/mountaintransporter.html

Water Taxi: 4.1-mile water taxi ride to Ross Dam (reserve ahead of time with Ross Lake Resort). Go from Big Beaver to Ross Dam with Ross Lake Resort, $50 (up to six people), (206) 386-4437; rosslakeresort.com

Wildlife Sightings: If you see any of the following animals, please describe your observations to a park ranger: bats, black bears, bobcats, cougars, coyote, ducks, elk, fishers, fox, grizzly bears, harlequin ducks, loons, lynx, marbled murrelets, moose, mountain goats, owls, peregrine falcons, wolverines, or wolves. Please note the location, time, and length of the observation, distance from the animal, and a description of the animal (activity or behavior). If you’re a safe distance from the animal (100 yards), please take a photo and send it to a park ranger.

The Map: Copper Ridge to Big Beaver Trail Hike

-Mapped by Kim Phillips and Matt Vellone