Ptarmigan Ridge

Sept. 27 in Mt. Baker Wilderness

Stats: 19 km / 700m gain / 1968m high point / 5:20 hours MT

This trail is said to offer the best views of the many trails in the park, with the exception of summiting Mt. Baker itself. There were expansive views 100% of the time! When we stopped in at the ranger station for a parking pass, we were informed that this whole area will be closed next week for maintenance.

We parked at Artist Point (1546m), at the end of Hwy 542 (9:45am start).

Monkey Face flowers.

Crossing the south slope of Table Mt.

Mt. Shuksan -- northeast

At 1.9 km we turned left at the Chain Lakes junction.

When I took this photo, this guy said, "Oh, that'll cost you!" I said, "What! I was looking at Table Mt!"

For the most part this trail had a gentle grade. It was just the last stretch up the black East Portal that required a bit more huffing and puffing.

Looking back again at Table Mt. Notice the trail.

east

As we crested this moraine, the views opened up to the Coleman Pinnacle & back to Mt. Baker.

northeast

Monkey Flower

This is where we waited to regroup, by the three turquoise tarns. And who rounded the bend from the other end? - John Mclellan! He'd just come from the Portals, which is an extra 1 hour hike one-way. Three decided to do the short walk to the lakes and the other five of us carried on to the Portals. It had taken us 2 hours to get to this point from the parking lot.

The trail turned left here.

Approaching the Scholes Glacier, close enough to touch it!

west

We had to cross two small snow-fields. No need for micro-spikes.

The Rainbow Glacier below Mt. Baker's domineering summit.

southwest

Scholes Glacier -- west to north

Just minutes after we parked ourselves a bit lower on the ridge, we spotted some of the men from the second group that had started about half an hour after us. They didn't recognize us from a distance and kept hiking to the end of the ridge. So we packed up our lunches and joined them.

At the end of the trail on the East Portal.

Smoke billowing up from the Chilliwack area -- north.

Shuksan -- northeast.

An incomplete group shot: Jan, Iraj, Tracey, Sheri, Lori, me, Peter, Dave. A few more showed up as we started to head down. Of the 16, four did not come to this point at the end of the trail.

Heading back.

Busy on the ridge.

Back at the lakes.

Almost back at the parking lot (4:15pm).

At El Nopals, us four secured another 8 seats and quickly ordered before the others arrived.

Along for this hike were: Claudine A, Dave B, Peter E, Peter F, Iraj F, Tracey G, Johnny G, Cal F, Sheri K, Ling L, Jan S, Tim & Bernie Y, Lori H, Joanne Z

Mt. Baker summit to the lower left.