June 9, 2013, Ruth - North Cascades

Hannegan Pass Rd is open despite what the Forest Service website says. We spent the night at the trailhead/campground one of the last really good free campgrounds. A slide has deposited lots of snow in the parking lot and destroyed most of the trailhead sign.

The slide paths on the trail are full of snow but we still had to walk to the flats below Hannegan Pass before skinning up. Took the direct route across the flats and then a steep boot up to the N ridge of Ruth. Lots of climber tracks but only four ski tracks. Mostly cloudy conditions keep the heat down and the snow from getting too mushy. We summited around 12:30 and the clouds parted enough to see Shuksan.

Started down at 1pm. The snow is still very smooth thanks to the recent new snow. Not quite full on corn but not mashed potatoes either. It skied very well with a bit of wax and speed. Skied straight down the main face and into the drainage skier's right. It won't be skiable all the way down the main face much longer as some holes were already opening in the drainage.

We were able to ski down to 4000 ft then boot back up to the trail. Overall a great day!