Ptarmigan Ridge — Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025

I learned something important today, which likely everyone reading this already knows, but which I had never twigged: that the pleasant view at the foot of Coleman Pinnacle (overlooking Goat Lake) is, in fact, NOT the end of the Ptarmigan Ridge trail. I started up the Pinnacle path today in order to escape the piercing strains of a human voice puncturing my hiking bliss, when I noticed a mystery trail continuing in the distance. I asked a pair of passersby (not the piercing party) if they knew what that trail was, and--it was the rest of the Ptarmigan Ridge trail. So today I finally reached the "ridge"--though the trail does continue, becoming a climbers' trail. Anyway, beyond the Pinnacle is a whole 'nother piece of landscape, and this last part of the trail takes you around to another angle and slightly closer perspective of Baker.

The views along the Artist Point and Ptarmigan Ridge trails were outstanding today. There was only a touch of fog by 9:45 when I started, and it was pretty cleared by noon. I like fog, anyway; adds to the sense of mystery surrounding our existence. I hiked solo, as Edelman is recuperating from a medical issue. This meant that I forgot to bring the parking pass, map and a medical kit, but luckily I know the trail, and the Glacier Ranger Station has a machine in the lot where you can purchase a day pass for $5--as long as you have plastic. RE: the medical kit, even though I virtually never need it, I was very careful to be sure to avoid the issue! 

The hike: as others have reported, it's dry and dusty, and once you leave the junction with the Chain Lakes trail, the "technical" details keep you on your toes. If you're north of 60, a ledge can be defined as a technical detail, as  it's all about preserving the body parts so as to hike till 90. Some examples: there are a couple places where you're hiking across rocky outcroppings that may be wet with streamwater or else dry and slippery with dirt; a narrow ledge or two with a notable slippery slope beneath; a few steepish dirt inclines. All of which are fairly easily done, but want attention and poles. The main idea: STOP to gaze in awe at the view of Shuksan at your back, or the cloud-shrouded peaks across the distance. It is a gorgeous hike with varied landscapes, as others have described beautifully. 

I saw only a few blueberries today. I believe Zhuck Yu may have enjoyed the last crop :-) , deservedly so! Happy hiking, All!