Birthday Tour

The Birthday Tour links Blue Lake Trailhead to the Highway 20 hairpin turn via two ridge crossings in the Liberty Bell Group. The route passes through some of the most iconic alpine terrain in the North Cascades, with Liberty Bell, Early Winters Spires, and Kangaroo Ridge visible at every turn.

From Blue Lake Trailhead, the skin track climbs through spaced trees directly toward the Liberty Bell Group. Do not follow the Blue Lake trail itself. The route trends upward toward Blue Lake Col at roughly 7,600 feet. The final 300 feet steepen considerably on chattery, icy slopes. An ice axe provides security here; ski crampons help on the firm morning skin track. From the col, the first descent drops south-facing corn slopes into the Copper Pass drainage, where the terrain opens and the skiing rewards the climb.

The second ascent follows the Copper Pass valley toward Pica Peak Col, gaining roughly 1,000 feet on a well-established boot pack. From this col, 200 feet of steep, often icy couloir demands committed turns on firm snow. The couloir is consequential. Below it, the route widens before joining a summer climber's trail back to the highway. The exit trail is narrow and difficult for splitboarders.

A car shuttle is required. Park one vehicle at the hairpin turn and one at Blue Lake Trailhead. Both lots are small and fill early on prime spring days. This tour draws crowds: 200 or more skiers on a good corn day. Despite its reputation as approachable, the steep col approaches, variable snow, and icy second descent put this firmly in experienced ski mountaineer territory. Helmets are essential.