Mt. Ruth

July 29-30, 2025 -- Mt. Baker Wilderness

Stats for day 1: 19.4 km / 1315m gain / 2145m high

To the campsite: 9 km / 835m gain / 4 hours MT

From the campsite to the peak and back: 1.6 km / 415m gain

It has been three years since I've done any backpacking and overnighters in the alpines. It was great training for the upcoming trip to the Tolkiens next week. And it was so special to wittness the sunset and sunrises in such amazingly beautiful surroundings. So peaceful and serene. A balm to the soul.

There were no waits at the border crossing. In fact, on the way back the next day, there was no one at the Canada to US border crossing. Just after 8:00am we were on the trail, getting most of the climb with my 28 lb. backpack on, before the hottest part of the day (29C). We would be camping on the lower part of the ridge in the distance.

This first part of the trail is also the trail used to get to the more popular Hannegan Peak and also the Copper Ridge / Whatcom Pass 5-day trek. Views were ours right from the get-go. A gradually graded broad switch-back trail followed alongside Ruth Creek. Right across the valley were the steep cliffs of Mt. Sefrit & Nooksack Ridge. By late afternoon we were looking down on them.

Before the pass there were several creeks. Dave dunked his hat in the water to cool off.

Stonecrop.

Hannegan campsite is for larger groups and has a good water supply. It's about 20 minutes climb from there to Hannegan Pass.

We could now see the summit of Mt. Ruth. After the pass we'd be skirting round the hump to the right -- southeast.

south

At Hannegan Pass.

The grey gully to the right in the trees, was the steepest part of the climb to the campsite.

Looking back at Hannegan Peak (1885m).

Mt. Shuksan -- south.

Phew. Had to do some vegie belays to get up the gully -- northeast.

The heat was getting to Dave.

We stayed left, wrapping round the corner that led to the ridge that led to the peak.

southeast

Looking back.

Wow!!! Mt. Ruth & Shuksan to the right -- south.

southeast

Mt. Shuksan to the left and Mt. Baker (3300m) -- southwest.

We set up our tents before continuing to the summit.

But first we did a bit of a drop to get to a meagre source of water. It took a while to top up our dwindling supply. When we later returned, Dave had dug a trough to catch the snow drip and he'd filled up our bottles. Thank you Dave!

It took us two hours to summit from camp. I'd put my crampons on twice, first to cross a short steep stretch and then for the final ascent to the peak.

We stayed on this rocky ridge till the snow field below the black rock tower. Then we ascended to the right of it which was quite steep. We had to kick step on soft snow. Hence no photos of it.

To the left of Mt. Ruth is the headwater drainage of the Chilliwack River and to the right is the Nookwack River -- east.

southeast

Steering clear of this cave.

The peak was just a 5-minute climb from here.

Sue (75 years old) was a professional rock climber most of her life. Cindy has also got some recent experience with rock climbing.

Purplefringe

Mt Shuksan & Mt. Baker -- southwest

The valley we'd hiked up through with the beginning of the Nooksack River and the Nooksack Range to the left. Church, Larabee & Goat Mtns on the ridge to the right -- west.

We were camped on the ridge in the center, foreground. Slesse Mt on the horizon to the left -- north.

east

south

And down we go...

Approaching the steepest part.

Dropping lower on the snow slope beside the rocky ridge. It was fun, upping the speed on this not-as-steep slope while digging my heels in.

My sanctuary for the night.

Cindy and Sue had a cold night. When I asked them why the left the tent fly at home, they said it was so they could watch the stars.

Ever the gentleman, Dave not only supplied us with water, but also heat to boil it for dinner and tea.

There goes the sun.

Alpen glow.

---

Day 2: 9 km / 65m gain

We decided to keep this an easier day, as the next day we 'd be doing another climb/scramble.

The mosquitoes were out in full force, even worse than the evening before. So after an early 6:00am breakfast, we packed up and headed out.

One last look before rounding the corner.

Scree kept us cautious.

After we'd set up camp on the ridge, I unhooked the top portion of my backpack but forgot that my GPS was in it. So the tourquoise track ends at the campsite. The peak is just south of it. I had to rely on Sue's Gaia for stats.